Method and device for conveying large-area panels of extreme size

An apparatus for conveying glass panels, comprising the following features:

• a conveying line which is fitted with conveying rollers;
• a plurality of portal supports which are arranged in a linear manner one behind the other and are connected by means of guide beams and support column carriages;
• a plurality of comb-type grippers which are positioned by means of a pivoting and rotating device in a manner in which they are each moved horizontally on the guide beams by means of a column carriage and are vertically guided by a lifting column, wherein the comb-type grippers are fitted with suction devices, and wherein each comb-type gripper can change the width of its capture range on both sides by means of a telescopic apparatus;
• a stacking framework for setting down a glass panel such that it is inclined to the left and/or a stacking framework for setting down a glass panel such that it is inclined to the right, wherein glass panels of about 40 meters in length and about 6 meters in width are conveyed, wherein the panels can be held from the bath side or from the air side,
• a vertical-lifting apparatus is provided in the length and the width of the respective panel, wherein said vertical-lifting apparatus can be pivoted at an angle of up to 90 degrees such that it is stopped on the left and/or right side,
• distance sensors to control the movement of the individual comb-type grippers, and,
• wherein extendable stabilizers are additionally provided on the corresponding column carriages, and wherein laser sensors are used to align the comb-type grippers with one another vertically and horizontally, and wherein, in order to control the entire conveying system, field sensors are installed on each portal support, said field sensors being aligned with one another and, in the form of hundreds of mini lenses, collecting optical information in accordance with the optical field principle, it then being possible for said optical information to later be combined using data technology to form images with a desired resolution and/or a desired viewing angle.