SCHOTT uses Micro-Epsilon sensor systems to inspect flat glass

Two new measuring stations supplied by precision sensor specialist Micro-Epsilon are being used by glass manufacturer SCHOTT AG, to inspect the dimensional accuracy and edge quality of flat glass at the company’s manufacturing plant in Jena, Germany.

Dimensional accuracy is a critical factor in industrial glass, which is used for demanding technical applications, including the production of photovoltaic modules. Here, even a small deviation from the required geometry or thickness of the glass can adversely affect the function of the glass at a later date. 

Due to its transparency, glass is difficult to measure. However, technologies are now available to reliably and accurately inspect glass geometry (format, thickness and evenness) and the surface quality.

In this particular application, two different optical methods from Micro-Epsilon are used: confocal chromatic sensors and the light intersection technique.

In the production line at SCHOTT, a robot places the glass pane on a transport system, which feeds the pane into the measuring station. Here, the pane is deposited on a solid block of granite in order to eliminate any vibrations. Six optoNCDT 2401 confocal chromatic sensors are located on a traversing beam directly above the pane, which measure the thickness and planarity in six tracks.