Glass is being used in more applications than ever, including fields such as architecture and various other technical areas. It is becoming increasingly important to adhere to the highest-possible quality requirements in glass plate production. What is needed is the most accurate inspection of glass surfaces, because the quality of the glass plate not only impacts the product’s visual appearance, but also plays a significant role in terms of the material’s functional and safety-relevant characteristics.

Even after further processing or after the glass plates have been installed, defects or inclusions in the material that are not visible with the human eye may be the cause of damage and functional limitations brought about by external impacts. This is why continuous, automatic, 100% quality inspections are crucial during the manufacturing process.

To account for the needs of glass plate manufacturers, the modular PowerPlate (P²) line of optical inspection is available, consisting of nine products that can be combined randomly to account for a variety of applications. All inspection data is processed and classified in real time and stored numerically and visually. This information can be recalled at any time for further analysis. Designed to not only inspect but also optimize the quality of the manufactured products, this product line has the ability to significantly improve the sheet glass processing.

Non-Contact 3D Measurement

Float glass and ceramic glass normally possess an accurate, required flatness that is useful for typical applications. However, when going through further production steps, the surface evenness can gradually decrease. If such irregularities go unnoticed, value is added to non-saleable products and manufacturers waste large amounts of money; financial losses have been known to go as high as the six-figure range.

PowerPlate (P²)-3D, a product dedicated to non-contact 3D form measurement of glass plates, can help avoid the need for expensive processing of defective material. The system uses the principle of high-end stereo deflectometry, which enables the real, full-surface 3D measurement of glass sheets of virtually any size, even in-process. It is accurate and features the necessary robustness for use in industrial environments. 3D inspection technology adds another dimension to the quality control of flat or bended glass sheets. A measuring tolerance of ± 0.05 mm can be achieved. The reached repeatability of the local slope is within the range of a few arc seconds. As a consequence, all defects and irregularities in form and height of the glass plate are detected.

Built into a compact system setup, P²-3D may be integrated directly into the production line, allowing for the quality control to be performed in-
process. Since the sheet does not need to lie flat on the conveyor, the sample’s position can be tilted freely in xyz direction. The measurement tolerates deviations up to the centimeter range.

Inspecting glass plates within short cycle times ensures optimized processes and helps to keep production conditions stable. This guarantees highest-possible quality and a boosted productivity, improving cost effectiveness and competitiveness. These inspection systems are currently in use in several areas, such as special applications for architectural glass, ceramic glass for cooktops and more.  

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