Methods for separating and transporting a glass sheet from a glass ribbon

A method for separating and transporting a glass sheet from a glass ribbon, the method comprising:

• drawing the glass ribbon on a draw path in a conveyance direction, the glass ribbon comprising a first major surface opposite a second major surface;
• scoring the glass ribbon with a scoring device, thereby producing a score line across at least a portion of the first major surface;
• positioning an end effector of a first robotic handling device proximate the glass ribbon, wherein the end effector of the first robotic handling device is coupled to a robotic arm of the first robotic handling device with a wrist joint;
• positioning an end effector of a second robotic handling device proximate the glass ribbon, wherein the end effector of the second robotic handling device is coupled to a robotic arm of the second robotic handling device with a wrist joint;
• adjusting an engagement plane of the end effector of the first robotic handling device relative to the draw path to be substantially parallel to the plane of the glass ribbon with the wrist joint of the first robotic handling device;
• adjusting an engagement plane of the end effector of the second robotic handling device relative to the draw path independent of the first robotic handling device to be substantially parallel to the plane of the glass ribbon with the wrist joint of the second robotic handling device;
• engaging a first edge of the second major surface at a first position downstream of the score line in the conveyance direction with the end effector of the first robotic handling device;
• engaging a second edge of the second major surface at a second position downstream of the score line in the conveyance direction with the end effector of the second robotic handling device;
• and
• synchronously moving the first robotic handling device and the second robotic handling device to bend the glass ribbon about the score line to separate the glass sheet from the glass ribbon.

A method manufacturing a glass sheet, the method comprising:

• forming a glass ribbon with a fusion glass manufacturing assembly;
• drawing the glass ribbon on a draw path in a conveyance direction;
• scoring the glass ribbon with a scoring device, thereby producing a score line across at least a portion of a width of the glass ribbon;
• positioning an end effector of a first robotic handling device proximate the glass ribbon, wherein the end effector of the first robotic handling device is coupled to a robotic arm of the first robotic handling device with a wrist joint;
• positioning an end effector of a second robotic handling device proximate the glass ribbon, wherein the end effector of the second robotic handling device is coupled to a robotic arm of the second robotic handling device with a wrist joint;
• adjusting an engagement plane of the end effector of the first robotic handling device relative to the draw path to be substantially parallel to the plane of the glass ribbon with the wrist joint of the first robotic handling device;
• adjusting an engagement plane of the end effector of the second robotic handling device relative to the draw path independent of the first robotic handling device to be substantially parallel to the plane of the glass ribbon with the wrist joint of the second robotic handling device;
• engaging a first edge of the glass ribbon at a first position downstream of the score line in the conveyance direction with the end effector of the first robotic handling device;
• engaging a second edge of the glass ribbon at a second position downstream of the score line in the conveyance direction with the end effector of the second robotic handling device;
• and
• synchronously moving the first robotic handling device and the second robotic handling device to bend the glass ribbon about the score line to separate the glass sheet from the glass ribbon.