Abstract:
An on-line thickness gauge (OLTG) and method are described herein that are capable of measuring a thickness of a moving glass substrate. In the preferred embodiment, the OLTG includes a Y-guide and a stabilizing unit that respectively captures and stabilizes the moving glass substrate. The OLTG also includes a laser instrument which contains a laser source and a detector. The laser source emits a beam at the front surface of the moving glass substrate. And, the detector receives two beams one of which was reflected by the front surface of the moving glass substrate and the other beam which was reflected by the back surface of the moving glass substrate. The OLTG further includes a processor that analyzes the two beams received by the detector to determine a distance between the two beams which is then used to determine the thickness of the moving glass substrate.
Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring a pane of glass. The apparatus includes a stable base having a plurality of repositionable support members arrayed on the base. A glass sheet is placed overtop the support members, and a conventional distance measuring device, such as a laser ranging device coupled to a system for translating the ranging device along the x-y and z axes, is suspended above the glass sheet. A plurality of distance measurements are taken, and the out-of-plane deviation of the glass sheet is thereafter determined. Contact between each support member and the glass sheet to be measured is preferably a point contact.