Edge strength testing of free-form glass panel

An apparatus for testing edge strength of a sheet of material comprising:

• a plurality of assemblies configured to selectively applying a 3-point bending load along an edge of the sheet of material in a test region of the apparatus, whereby the plurality of assemblies can establish a loaded condition on the sheet of material in the test region by applying the 3-point bending load and establish a no-load condition on the sheet of material in the test region by not applying the 3-point bending load, wherein a pattern provided on the surface of the sheet in the test region facilitates optically measuring the strain in the sheet of material;
• wherein the plurality of assemblies comprises two opposing assemblies for applying the 3-point bending load, wherein a first of the two opposing assemblies comprises a single arcuate member for engaging a first side of the sheet and a second of the two opposing assemblies comprises two spaced-apart arcuate members for engaging a second side of the sheet opposite the first side, wherein the two spaced-apart arcuate members define the test region between the two spaced-apart arcuate members;
• a linear cam representing a linear map of the 3-point bending load along the edge of the sheet of material, wherein the linear cam is configured to move linearly in synchronization with the sheet of material;
• and
• a follower that rides on the linear cam, wherein the follower is connected to the single arcuate member to vary the 3-point bending load on the sheet of material as the sheet of material moves through the test region.

An apparatus for testing edge strength of a sheet of material comprising:

• a plurality of assemblies configured for selectively applying a 3-point bending load along an edge of the sheet of material in a test region of the apparatus, whereby the plurality of assemblies can establish a loaded condition on the sheet of material in the test region by applying the 3-point bending load and establish a no-load condition on the sheet of material in the test region by not applying the 3-point bending load;
• wherein the plurality of assemblies comprises two opposing assemblies for applying the 3-point bending load, wherein a first of the two opposing assemblies comprises a single arcuate member for engaging a first side of the sheet and a second of the two opposing assemblies comprises two spaced-apart arcuate members for engaging a second side of the sheet opposite the first side, wherein the two spaced-apart arcuate members are separated by a predefined spacing, wherein the two spaced-apart arcuate members define the test region between the two spaced-apart arcuate members;
• wherein the single arcuate member is vertically aligned between the two spaced-apart arcuate members;
• wherein the two spaced-apart arcuate members are configured to dynamically adjust the predefined spacing between the two spaced-apart arcuate members to adjust the stress induced in the sheet in the test region while maintaining the vertical alignment of the single arcuate member with respect to the two spaced-apart arcuate member.