Method for shaping coated glass sheets

A method for shaping a coated glass sheet supported on a first bending tool, wherein the first bending tool comprises at least one shaping rail having an upper shaping surface for supporting the glass sheet thereon and/or wherein the first bending tool comprises a ring configured to support the glass sheet in a peripheral region thereof, the coated glass sheet having a target position relative to the first bending tool, the method comprising:

• step (i) providing a coated glass sheet having a first coating on at least a portion of a first major surface thereof, the coated glass sheet having an opposing second major surface;
• step (ii) positioning the coated glass sheet at an entrance to a heating furnace;
• step (iii) conveying the coated glass sheet through the heating furnace on a conveyor to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping and to develop a curvature such that the coated glass sheet rotates on the conveyor whilst being conveyed through the heating furnace;
• step (iv) depositing the coated glass sheet on a first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet thereon, the coated glass sheet being in a first position relative to the first bending tool;
• step (v) contacting a first portion of the coated glass sheet such that the coated glass sheet is moved to a second position relative to the first bending tool to correct a shift in position of the coated glass sheet after being conveyed through the heating furnace, the second position of the coated glass sheet being closer to the target position than the first position of the coated glass sheet;
• step (vi) shaping the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool, and
• wherein during step (v) a positioning device comprising a movable portion positioned adjacent the first bending tool, a fixed portion positioned adjacent the movable portion, and an actuator disposed between the fixed portion and the movable portion is provided such that upon engaging the actuator the movable portion is caused to move with respect to the fixed portion to contact the first portion of the coated glass sheet and move the coated glass sheet from the first position to the second position.

A method for shaping a coated glass sheet supported on a first bending tool, wherein the first bending tool comprises at least one shaping rail having an upper shaping surface for supporting the glass sheet thereon and/or wherein the first bending tool comprises a ring configured to support the glass sheet in a peripheral region thereof, the coated glass sheet having a target position relative to the first bending tool, the method comprising:

• step (i) providing a coated glass sheet having a first coating on at least a portion of a first major surface thereof, the coated glass sheet having an opposing second major surface;
• step (ii) positioning the coated glass sheet at an entrance to a heating furnace;
• step (iii) conveying the coated glass sheet through the heating furnace on a roller conveyor with the second major surface facing the roller conveyor to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping and to develop a temperature gradient in the coated glass sheet;
• step (iv) depositing the coated glass sheet on a first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet thereon, the coated glass sheet being in a first position relative to the first bending tool;
• step (v) contacting a first portion of the coated glass sheet such that the coated glass sheet is moved to a second position relative to the first bending tool to correct for the rotation of the coated glass sheet after being conveyed through the heating furnace, the second position of the coated glass sheet being closer to the target position than the first position of the coated glass sheet;
• (vi)
• (vi) shaping the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool, and
• wherein during step (v) a positioning device comprising a movable portion positioned adjacent the first bending tool, a fixed portion positioned adjacent the movable portion, and an actuator disposed between the fixed portion and the movable portion is provided such that upon engaging the actuator the movable portion is caused to move with respect to the fixed portion to contact the first portion of the coated glass sheet and move the coated glass sheet from the first position to the second position.