Formation of elongated glass components with low bow using a gripper device

An apparatus for forming an elongated component of glass with low bow, the apparatus comprising:

• a heating element to heat a bulk glass component such that a strand may be drawn from the bulk glass component in a downward z direction;
• a sensing element capable of locating a center axis of the strand;
• a force sensing device;
• and
• a gripper device in communication with the sensing element, wherein the gripper device comprises:
• clamping elements in communication with the force sensing device to support the strand and move linearly with the strand while it is drawn from the bulk glass component, wherein the clamping elements are capable of aligning in a first position on a strand wherein the first position is at about the center axis of the strand, and
• mounting elements attached to the clamping elements, wherein the mounting elements allow translational movement of the clamping elements to any position in an x-y plane,
• wherein the clamping elements will deflect along the mounting elements back to the first position when a force is sensed by the force sensing device while the strand is drawn from the bulk glass component.