JP6587211B2 - Manufacturing method of glass plate - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass plate provided with an inspection process for detecting defects in the glass plate.

  For example, in a method for manufacturing a glass plate such as a glass substrate for a liquid crystal display, the glass plate processed by the processing step, the cleaning step for cleaning the glass plate processed in the processing step, and the cleaning step Some have an inspection step for inspecting the glass plate for defects (for example, see Patent Document 1). The glass plate defects detected in the inspection process include, for example, glass particles, cracks, foreign matters, dirt, processing defects, and the like.

JP, 2015-141096, A

  By the way, in the inspection process, it may be required to specify not only the presence / absence of a defect but also the content of the defect. However, simply specifying the contents of the defect has a problem that the time required for the inspection process becomes long.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to specify the content of a defect while suppressing an inspection time in an inspection process for detecting a defect of a glass plate.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor obtained the following knowledge as a result of intensive studies. That is, when specifying the content of the defect in the inspection process, the inspection process includes a defect coordinate specifying step for specifying the coordinates of the defect, and a defect content specifying step for specifying the content of the defect at the coordinates specified in the defect coordinate specifying step. And can be divided into In that case, generally, the defect content specifying step takes more time than the defect coordinate specifying step. Therefore, when the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step is the same as the number of lines in the defect content specifying step, a situation occurs in which the glass plate that has completed the defect coordinate specifying step must wait for the defect content specifying step.

  The manufacturing method of the glass plate of the present invention created based on this knowledge is a processing step for processing a glass plate, a cleaning step for cleaning the glass plate processed in the processing step, and a cleaning step in the cleaning step. And a glass plate manufacturing method comprising: an inspection step for inspecting a defect of the glass plate, wherein the inspection step is specified by a defect coordinate specifying step for specifying a defect coordinate and the defect coordinate specifying step. A defect content specifying step for specifying the content of the defect in coordinates, and the number of lines in the defect content specifying step is greater than the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step, and passes through the lines in the defect coordinate specifying step. The glass plate is distributed to the defect content identification process line.

  According to this configuration, the number of lines in the defect content specifying process is larger than the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying process, and the glass plate that has passed through the lines in the defect coordinate specifying process is distributed to the lines in the defect content specifying process. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the glass plate that has completed the defect coordinate specifying step must wait for the defect content specifying step. Thereby, the time which the whole inspection process requires can be shortened compared with the case where the number of lines of a defect coordinate specific process and the number of lines of a defect content specific process are the same. That is, according to the manufacturing method of the glass plate of this invention, it is possible to specify the content of a defect, suppressing inspection time in the inspection process which detects the defect of a glass plate.

  In the above configuration, in the defect coordinate specifying step, the glass plate is lifted at a middle portion in the perpendicular direction of the conveyance direction and supported in a non-contact manner and is conveyed in a state of being supported in contact at both end portions in the perpendicular direction. It is preferable to specify the coordinates.

  If it is this structure, since the coordinate of a defect is specified, conveying a glass plate, the time which a defect coordinate specification process requires can be shortened more. Moreover, since it conveys in the state which floated the glass plate in the intermediate part and was non-contact supported, it can suppress that a defect newly arises in a glass plate. Moreover, since it conveys in the state which floated the glass plate, it is hard to produce deformation | transformation of the glass plate by the dead weight, etc., and the coordinate of a defect can be pinpointed accurately.

  Said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable to specify the content of a defect in the said defect content specific process in the state which supported and fixed the said glass plate by surface contact.

  Since the glass plate is supported and fixed in surface contact, the position of the glass plate is stabilized, so that the coordinates specified in the defect coordinate specifying step can be more accurately focused and focused.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the number of lines in the defect content specifying step is 1 to 3 more than the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the content of the defect can be specified while suppressing the inspection time in the inspection process for detecting the defect of the glass plate.

It is the schematic which shows the manufacturing method of the glass plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows a defect coordinate specific process, (A) is a schematic plan view, (B) is a schematic side view. It is the schematic which shows a defect content specific process, (A) is a schematic plan view, (B) is a schematic front view.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a method for producing a glass plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this glass plate manufacturing method (hereinafter simply referred to as manufacturing method 1), processing such as end face processing is performed on the glass plate. The glass plate manufactured by the manufacturing method 1 has a size of, for example, 300 × 300 mm to 3500 × 3500 mm, and a thickness of, for example, 0.1 to 1.1 mm.

  This manufacturing method 1 includes a charging step S1 for charging a glass plate, a processing step S2 for processing the glass plate input in the charging step S1, and a cleaning step S3 for cleaning the glass plate processed in the processing step S2. And inspection process S4 which test | inspects the defect of the said glass plate wash | cleaned by washing | cleaning process S3, and packing process S5 which packages the said glass plate by which the defect was test | inspected by inspection process S4.

  The inspection step S4 includes a defect coordinate specifying step S4a that specifies the coordinates of the defect, and a defect content specifying step S4b that specifies the content of the defect at the coordinates specified in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a. The number of lines in the defect content specifying step S4b is larger than the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, and the glass plate that has passed through the line in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a is distributed to the line in the defect content specifying step S4b. It is configured to be.

  In the illustrated example, one line including the defect coordinate specifying step S4a branches to form three lines including the defect content specifying step S4b. That is, the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a is one, the number of lines in the defect content specifying step S4b is three, and the number of lines in the defect content specifying step S4b is more than the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a. 2 more.

  Next, the steps of the manufacturing method 1 will be described in order.

  First, in the charging step S1, a glass plate is charged. Next, in the processing step S2, processing such as end face processing (chamfering processing or the like) is performed on the glass plate input in the input step S1. In the cleaning step S3, the glass plate processed in the processing step S2 is cleaned, for example, with high pressure water or a roll brush.

  In the first transport path R1 from the cleaning step S3 to the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, the glass plate 3 is automatically transported by the transport mechanism 2 shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B).

  The transport mechanism 2 includes a floating portion 2a such as an air float that brings the glass plate 3 into a floating state by, for example, air ejection, and a feed portion 2b such as a roller that contacts the glass plate 3 and feeds it. The transport mechanism 2 transports the glass plate 3 in a state in which the glass plate 3 is lifted at an intermediate portion in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and supported in a non-contact manner and is supported in contact at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The glass plate 3 is conveyed with a traction force applied by the feeding portion 2b in a state of being floated with respect to the floating portion 2a by the floating portion 2a. During this conveyance, the glass plate 3 maintains a more natural shape (flat plate shape) by causing the pressure of the air directed vertically upward from the lower part to act in a horizontal state so as to cancel the weight of the glass plate 3. .

  Next, in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, the number of defects on the glass plate 3 is counted and the coordinates of the defects are specified.

  As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, the number of defects in the glass plate 3 is continued while the glass plate 3 is being transported by the transport mechanism 2 from the first transport path R1. Counts and specifies the coordinates of the defect. At this time, the glass plate 3 is sent to the feeding portion 2b and conveyed in a state of being floated with respect to the floating portion 2a.

  In the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, the coordinate specifying inspection device 4 detects defects in the glass plate 3, automatically counts the number of defects, and automatically specifies the coordinates of the defects. As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the coordinate specifying inspection apparatus 4 includes a light source 4a and an imaging unit 4b such as a camera disposed opposite to the light source 4a via a conveyance path of the glass plate 3. The light source 4 a illuminates a wide area along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass plate 3. The imaging unit 4b images a wide area along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass plate 3. The coordinate specifying inspection apparatus 4 captures an image of the entire area of the glass plate 3 as the glass plate 3 passes through the conveyance path in a state where the imaging unit 4b is fixed. The coordinate specifying inspection apparatus 4 is of a type that images with light transmitted through the glass plate 3.

  In the second conveyance path R2 from the defect coordinate identification step S4a to the defect content identification step S4b, the glass plate 3 is automatically conveyed (contact conveyance) while being contacted by, for example, a roller conveyor. In the second transport path R2, the glass plate 3 that has completed the defect coordinate specifying step S4a is automatically distributed to the defect content specifying step S4b.

  Next, in the defect content specifying step S4b, based on the coordinates specified in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, the content of the defect at the coordinates is specified.

  As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, in the defect content specifying step S4b, the content of the defect is specified in a state where the glass plate 3 is supported by the support member 5 in surface contact and fixed. In the defect content specifying step S4b, based on the defect coordinate data transmitted from the coordinate specifying inspection device 4, the defect specifying device 6 images the defect of the glass plate 3 and specifies the content of the defect.

  The content specifying inspection apparatus 6 includes, for example, an imaging unit 6a such as a microscope and a moving mechanism 6b such as a gantry for supporting and moving the imaging unit 6a. The content specifying inspection device 6 images the defect of the glass plate 3 by moving the imaging unit 6 a in a state where the glass plate 3 is fixed on the support member 5. The support member 5 does not transmit light, and the content specifying inspection device 6 is a type that captures an image with light reflected on the glass plate 3. The support member 5 is configured to eject air and float the glass plate 3 before positioning, but is configured to adsorb the glass plate 3 after positioning.

  The identification of the content of the defect may be determined by a human by looking at the captured image, or may be determined automatically by automatically processing the captured image data.

  In the third conveyance path R3 from the defect content identification step S4b to the packing step S5, the glass plate is automatically contacted and conveyed by, for example, a roller conveyor.

  After the defect content specifying step S4b, whether or not the glass plate 3 that has been inspected is a non-defective product based on the inspection result (number of defects) in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a and the inspection result (defect content) in the defect content specifying step S4b This determination is performed by a determination unit (not shown).

  The glass plate 3 determined as a non-defective product based on the determination result by the determination unit is packaged and shipped as a non-defective product in the packing step S5. On the other hand, the glass plate 3 determined to be a defective product is packed as a defective product.

  According to the manufacturing method 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the number of lines in the defect content specifying step S4b is larger than the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, and passes through the lines in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a. The processed glass plate is distributed to the line of the defect content specifying step S4b. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the glass plate 3 that has completed the defect coordinate specifying step S4a must wait for the defect content specifying step S4b. As a result, the time required for the entire inspection process S4 can be made shorter than when the number of lines in the defect coordinate identification process S4a is the same as the number of lines in the defect content identification process S4b. That is, according to the manufacturing method 1 of the glass plate of this embodiment, it is possible to specify the content of a defect, suppressing inspection time in the inspection process which detects the defect of a glass plate.

  In other words, in the manufacturing method 1, the inspection process S4 includes the defect coordinate specifying process S4a (short time) for specifying only the positional information and the presence / absence of a defect (short time), and the defect content for specifying the defect content (long time). The process is divided into specific processes S4b. The layout configuration is such that the lines of the defect content specifying step S4b that require a long time in the inspection step S4 are doubled. Thereby, the processing capability of inspection process S4 can be improved.

  Further, since the back surface of the glass plate 3 is conveyed in a non-contact manner from the cleaning step S3 to the defect coordinate specifying step S4a, it is possible to suppress new defects from being generated on the surface of the glass plate 3. Further, during the period from the cleaning step S3 to the defect content specifying step S4b, the handling of the glass plate 3, the movement of the upper, lower, left and right glass plates 3 for changing the transport direction and the change of the posture of the glass plate 3 are performed as much as possible. Do not. Therefore, it can suppress that a new defect arises in the glass plate 3. FIG. By these synergistic effects, unnecessary defects are less likely to occur in the manufacturing method 1, and the yield rate is improved.

  Further, by applying an air pressure corresponding to the weight of the glass plate 3 during conveyance by the conveyance mechanism 2, it is possible to suppress bending and deformation due to the weight of the glass plate 3. As a result, the reliability of the inspection in the defect coordinate specifying step S4a performed during conveyance by the conveyance mechanism 2 is improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea. For example, in the above embodiment, the distribution of the glass plate 3 that has completed the defect coordinate specifying step S4a to the defect content specifying step S4b is automatically performed in the second transport path R2, but is performed by a human hand or a cart. May be. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the glass plate 3 was automatically conveyed in 1st conveyance path R1 and 3rd conveyance path R3 in a line, the glass plate 3 may be conveyed by a human hand or a trolley | bogie. .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the coordinate identification test | inspection apparatus 4 was a type imaged with the light which permeate | transmitted the glass plate 3, the type imaged with the light reflected on the glass plate 3 may be sufficient. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the content-inspecting inspection apparatus 6 was a type imaged with the light reflected on the glass plate 3, the type which image | photographs with the light which permeate | transmitted the glass plate 3 may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Manufacturing method 2 Conveyance mechanism 3 Glass plate 4 Coordinate identification inspection apparatus 5 Support member 6 Content identification inspection apparatus S1 Input process S2 Processing process S3 Cleaning process S4 Inspection process S4a Defect coordinate identification process S4b Defect content identification process S5 Packing process

Claims (4)

A glass plate comprising a processing step for processing a glass plate, a cleaning step for cleaning the glass plate processed in the processing step, and an inspection step for inspecting a defect of the glass plate cleaned in the cleaning step. A manufacturing method,
The inspection step includes a defect coordinate specifying step that specifies the coordinates of the defect, and a defect content specifying step that specifies the content of the defect at the coordinates specified in the defect coordinate specifying step,
In the first transport path between the cleaning step and the defect coordinate specifying step, and in the defect coordinate specifying step, the glass plate is levitated at a middle portion in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and is non-contacted and supported at the right angle. Transport the glass plate in contact and support at both ends of the direction,
In the second conveyance path between the defect coordinate identification step and the defect content identification step, the glass plate is contact-conveyed,
The number of lines in the defect content identification process is greater than the number of lines in the defect coordinate identification process,
The method of manufacturing a glass plate, wherein the glass plate that has passed through the defect coordinate specifying step line is distributed to the defect content specifying step line. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 1, wherein, in the defect content specifying step, the content of the defect is specified in a state in which the glass plate is supported and fixed by surface contact. The method for producing a glass plate according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the number of lines in the defect content specifying step is 1 to 3 more than the number of lines in the defect coordinate specifying step. A packing step of packing the glass plate that has been inspected for defects in the inspection step;
  The method for producing a glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the glass plate is contact-conveyed in a third conveyance path between the inspection step and the packing step.

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