The fully automated solution to replace the manual process of laminate sheet inspection.

Concepted and designed by GS-MR, following an enquiry from a major glass manufacturer.

Simplified in three process steps:

Step 1 – Unloading

A Full Skid (FS) of manufactured laminated glass is manually introduced at the start of the Laminate Glass Inspection (LGI) Process line, via a transport car.

The FS is placed into the parking position at the start of the LGI Process line. The whole FS is then manoeuvred into the unloading position.

Each laminate glass pane is individually processed, the first pane is removed automatically and placed onto the transport system ready to be transported through the process.

Removal of cardboard Packers / Sacrificial Glass Pane (SGP) During Step 1

Cardboard Packers are removed via the overhead crane gantry and placed into the storage allocation area awaiting reuse.

The Sacrificial Glass Pane (SGP) which is in position to protect the coated glass is automatically removed and transported through the LGI Process where it is relocated onto the Sacrificial Spacer Glass Skid (SSGS) awaiting reuse.

Step 2 – Scanning

Each laminate glass pane is individually transported along the transport system and through the scanner.

The glass pane is scanned.

Three result options are available during the scanning process:

Glass Pane Scans Without Error

If the glass pane scans without error, it is then transported straight to the Good Glass Skid (GGS).

Glass Pane Scans with Error Outside of Tolerance

If the glass pane scans with an error outside of tolerance it is automatically removed and placed onto the Scrap Skid (SS).

Glass Pane Scans with Error Inside of Tolerance

Upon scanning, should a defect be found which is within a specified tolerance, further inspection is required which will be performed manually.

The glass pane is automatically transported rearwards to the designated rework area awaiting manual inspection.

Two result options are available from a manual inspection:

Fail

Should the glass pane fail manual inspection it is automatically removed and placed onto the SS

Pass

Should the glass pane pass manual inspection it is automatically re-introduce to the automated LGI Process; it is returned to the buffer and sent to the LGI Process line via the moveable transport station and placed onto the GGS.

Step 3 – Stacking

Glass Panes which scan without error, are stacked onto the GGS.

Cardboard packing is automatically introduced during the stacking of the GGS.

SGP is introduced, again automatically, during the stacking of the GGS.

The frequency of introduction of both the cardboard packing and SGP is determined earlier in the process due to the size and thickness of the glass pane.

Note: During processing, one Full Skid (FS) presented for processing will result in one Good Glass Skid (GGS) being used for output, this ensures batches presented for processing are not mixed.

Automation Solution