General description

Unstable transfer can also occur due to many other causes in addition to those related to roller assembly.

Therefore, solutions must relate to the both aspects of structural design and practical use, including the mechanical design to realize stabilized and easily adjustable path lines of transfer systems and also the optimization of transfer speeds.

Explanation

This session explains the mechanical structure for the components other than the roller transport assembly. As a summary, the points of vital importance are listed for mechanical design of transfer systems to fulfill the requirements for glass substrates of reduced thickness and weight.

In the production line, the friction between the feed rollers and the substrates being transported varies due to a variety of factors related to the mechanical components other than the feed rollers.

Typical cases are listed below.

1. The transfer path line becomes deviated due to the vibration of equipment installed adjacent to the path line.
2. The heights of floors on which the transfer units are installed vary and therefore the reference height between the transfer units becomes different, resulting in a deviated path line.
3. The equipment layout is changed frequently and the transfer units have their path line adjustment capability designed not carefully, thus taking a huge amount of time for the adjustment. In addition, transfer trouble in the early stage of operation is unavoidable.

Table 1 summarizes typical problems involved in the thickness and weight reduction and their recommended solutions for the transfer systems.

[Table 1] Typical problems involved in substrates of reduced thickness and weight and their recommended solutions

Based on the above understanding, the important considerations for designing of appropriate transfer systems for glass substrates of reduced thickness and weight are listed below.