Glass sheet processing apparatus and glass sheet producing method

A glass sheet processing apparatus to process an edge surface of a glass sheet using a processing tool, comprising:

• a pressing force generation element configured to generate a pressing force that the processing tool exerts on the edge surface of the glass sheet;
• a position control section configured to control the processing tool such that it is shifted in sequence among a standby position, a polishing position, and a retraction position;
• a support shaft member;
• and
• a rotary arm member rotatably connected with the support shaft member,
• wherein the standby position is where the processing tool is on standby for contact with the edge surface of the glass sheet,
• the polishing position is where the processing tool is in contact with the edge surface of the glass sheet and is polishing the edge surface,
• the retraction position is where the processing tool has been retracted in a direction to separate the processing tool from the edge surface of the glass sheet beyond the standby position,
• the processing tool is connected with the rotary arm member, and
• the pressing force generation element generates the pressing force by applying a couple of forces to the rotary arm member.

A glass sheet producing method for producing a glass sheet having a processed edge surface by processing the edge surface of the glass sheet using a processing tool, wherein

• the processing tool is connected with a rotary arm member,
• the rotary arm member is rotatably connected with a support shaft member,
• the method comprises controlling the processing tool such that it is shifted in sequence among a standby position, a polishing position, and a retraction position,
• the standby position is where the processing tool is on standby for contact with the edge surface of the glass sheet,
• the polishing position is where the processing tool is in contact with the edge surface of the glass sheet and is polishing the edge surface,
• the retraction position is where the processing tool has been retracted in a direction to separate the processing tool from the edge surface of the glass sheet beyond the standby position, and
• a pressing force generation element generates a pressing force that the processing tool exerts on the edge surface of the glass sheet by applying a couple of forces to the rotary arm member when the processing tool is in contact with the edge surface of the glass sheet in the polishing position.