# US 8,783,064 B2 · Method and apparatus for removing the glass mould joints including polishing the joints, and glass product machined thereby > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,064 B2 - Document ID: US8783064B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/393,151 - Filed: 2009-02-26 - Published: 2009-09-03 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-02-29 - Assignees: Zwiesel Kristalliglas AG - Applicants: Klaus Lesche - Inventors: Klaus Lesche - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783064B2 ## CPC - B24B 37/02: designed for working surfaces of revolution - B23K 26/03: Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece - B23K 26/032: {using optical means} - B23K 26/044: Seam tracking - B23K 26/0838: {by using an endless conveyor belt} - B23K 26/3576: {Diminishing rugosity, e.g. by grinding, polishing or smoothing} - C03B 29/06: with horizontal displacement of the products - C03C 19/00: Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by mechanical means (sand-blasting, grinding, or polishing glass B24) - B24B 33/06: with controlling or gauging equipment (gauging in general G01B; controlling in general G05) - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - C03B: MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES - C03C: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS ## Abstract The method for polishing glass products, comprises the following steps: specifying a contour or form or shape of the glass product; detecting the location or position of the glass product; calculating a path for a laser beam on the basis of the contour of the glass product and the location of the glass product; and scanning the path with the laser beam for polishing the glass product in order to fuse mold joints together or smoothen/polish them. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for polishing glass products, comprising: specifying a contour of a glass product; transporting the glass product on a conveyor belt; continuously moving the conveyor belt; detecting the location of the glass product on the conveyor belt; calculating a path for a laser beam on the basis of the contour of the glass product and the location of the glass product; scanning the path with the laser beam for polishing the glass product; and loading the contour of the glass product into a computer as a CAD file. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1,wherein continuously moving the conveyor belt includes continuously moving the conveyor belt in order to polish a plurality of glass products arranged on the conveyor belt during movement of the conveyor belt. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of aligning the glass product on the conveyor belt such that an area of the glass product to be polished is arranged in a horizontal plane at an angle different from 0° and 180°, preferably substantially rectangular with respect to a transport direction of the conveyor belt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the location of the glass product further comprises detecting at least two lines on the glass product. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the location of the glass product is detected by means of at least an optical sensor, a laser scanner or a CCD camera. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of machining the glass product with a laser from two substantially opposite sides substantially transverse to the transport direction of the conveyor belt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: arranging a stemware glass on the conveyor belt, with a cup of the stemware glass facing downward; and machining a stem joint and/or a base joint of the stemware glass by means of laser. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein scanning the path with the laser beam includes continuously moving the glass product past a laser generating the laser beam. ### Claim 9 A method for polishing glass products, comprising: passing a glass workpiece along a transport system, the workpiece having a predetermined path on the surface of the surface of the workpiece; controlling targeting of a radiation emitting device that is fixed relative to the transport system, including varying a direction of emitted radiation according to tracked motion of the workpiece passing along the transport system and according to the predetermined path on the surface of the workpiece; and emitting radiation from the radiation emitting device in the varying direction to cause heating of the workpiece along the predetermined path while the workpiece passes along the transport system, wherein emitting the radiation comprises emitting the radiation at a varying angle of incidence to the workpiece. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein controlling the targeting comprises tracking the motion of the workpiece passing along the transport system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein controlling the targeting is performed according to configuration data characterizing a shape of the workpiece. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein passing the glass workpiece along the transport system comprises continuously passing the workpiece along a conveyor belt system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the radiation emitting device comprises one or more Lasers.