초록 ▼

An apparatus is provided for applying sealant material to an insulated glass panel assembly having first, second, third and fourth edges for receiving sealant material therein, which includes a sealant assembly for applying sealant material to the insulated glass panel assembly. A glass advance asse

An apparatus is provided for applying sealant material to an insulated glass panel assembly having first, second, third and fourth edges for receiving sealant material therein, which includes a sealant assembly for applying sealant material to the insulated glass panel assembly. A glass advance assembly is provided for advancing and moving forward the insulated glass panel assembly into the sealant assembly for applying sealant material thereto. The sealant assembly for applying sealant material includes a first sealant dispensing assembly and a second sealant dispensing assembly for applying sealant material to the first, second, third and fourth edges of the insulated glass panel assembly. The apparatus further includes an upper head slide sub-assembly for moving the first sealant dispensing assembly in an upward vertical direction for applying sealant material to the first edge of the insulated glass panel assembly, and in a downward vertical direction parallel to the upward direction for applying sealant material to the third edge of the insulated glass panel assembly. The apparatus also includes a pinch roller assembly for moving the insulated glass panel assembly through the sealant assembly while the first and second sealant dispensing assemblies are applying sealant material to the second and fourth edges of the insulated glass panel assembly, respectively. Additionally, the apparatus includes an output roller assembly for moving the sealed insulated glass panel assembly out of the sealant assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus is provided for applying sealant material to an insulated glass panel assembly having first, second, third and fourth edges for receiving sealant material therein, which includes a sealant assembly for applying sealant material to the insulated glass panel assembly. A glass advance asse

An apparatus is provided for applying sealant material to an insulated glass panel assembly having first, second, third and fourth edges for receiving sealant material therein, which includes a sealant assembly for applying sealant material to the insulated glass panel assembly. A glass advance assembly is provided for advancing and moving forward the insulated glass panel assembly into the sealant assembly for applying sealant material thereto. The sealant assembly for applying sealant material includes a first sealant dispensing assembly and a second sealant dispensing assembly for applying sealant material to the first, second, third and fourth edges of the insulated glass panel assembly. The apparatus further includes an upper head slide sub-assembly for moving the first sealant dispensing assembly in an upward vertical direction for applying sealant material to the first edge of the insulated glass panel assembly, and in a downward vertical direction parallel to the upward direction for applying sealant material to the third edge of the insulated glass panel assembly. The apparatus also includes a pinch roller assembly for moving the insulated glass panel assembly through the sealant assembly while the first and second sealant dispensing assemblies are applying sealant material to the second and fourth edges of the insulated glass panel assembly, respectively. Additionally, the apparatus includes an output roller assembly for moving the sealed insulated glass panel assembly out of the sealant assembly. r is fitted to an outer periphery of the boss portion in a centering manner and connected with the first gear in a surface-fitting manner by a fastening device. nt is released and at least one of rotated and moved along and about the lengthwise axis so that a second precise cut is made at a desired depth in a desired position relationship to the first cut. 10. A system as in claim 9, further comprising a stepper motor under control of the controller configured to actuate at least one of the manipulating means and the saw blade. 11. A system as in claim 9, wherein said actuator facilitating movement of the saw blade toward and away from the elongate element further comprises a caliper and a stepper motor operatively connected to the caliper, configured to position the saw blade with respect to the elongate element with precision, whereby a depth of cut with respect to the contact reference point is precisely controlled. 12. A system as in claim 11, wherein the contact reference point identification system further comprising a movement sensor configured to sense movement of the saw blade toward and away from the elongate element wherein feedback control of the saw blade position is facilitated. 13. A system as in claim 12, wherein the movement sensor 19 at least one of a linear differential transformer and a linearly variable differential capacitor. 14. A system as in claim 9, wherein the actuator configured to move the elongate element along the lengthwise axis further comprising a stepper motor under control of the controller operatively coupled to the manipulating means to advance the elongate element. 15. A system as in claim 9, wherein the actuator configured to rotate the elongate element further comprising a stepper motor under control of the controller operatively coupled to the manipulating means to rotate the elongate element. 16. A system as in claim 9, wherein the contact reference point identification system comprises an electrical circuit completed by contact of the; saw blade and the elongate element. 17. A system as in claim 16, wherein the circuit is a DC circuit. 18. A system as in claim 17, wherein the circuit is an AC circuit. 19. A system as in claim 18, wherein proximity of the saw blade to the elongate element is sensed by induced current from the AC circuit. 20. A system as in claim 16, wherein the contact reference point identification system is configured to quantify one of an asymmetry and an out-of-round condition of the elongate element. 21. A system as in claim 9, wherein the saw blade forms a kerf of less than 0.003 inches. 22. A system as in claim 9, wherein said actuators of the manipulating means comprise calipers turned by stepper motors. 23. A system for forming cuts in a small-diameter elongate element having a lengthwise axis, comprising: a controller configured to control operation of the system, programable to produce micro-machined elongate elements of desired configurations in diameter sizes usable as catheters and guidewires for invasive medical procedure in a human body; a clamp configured to engage and release the elongate element under control of the controller; manipulating means including a pinch roller assembly configured to grasp the elongate element, and move the elongate element along the lengthwise axis and to rotate the elongate element about the lengthwise axis under the control of the controller, further comprising an actuator comprising a stepper motor controlled by the controller configured to rotate the elongate element, and an actuator comprising a stepper motor control led by the controller configured to move the elongate element along the lengthwise axis; a saw blade configured to form cuts of small dimensions in the elongate element and to be movable toward and away from the elongate element by an actuator comprising a stepper motor turning a caliper under control of the controller; a contact reference point identification system comprising an electrical circuit configured to provide a signal interperatable by the controller indicating that the saw blade has approached the elongate element and just made contact ther ewith without appreciable depth of cut to thereby control depth of cut from a contact reference point into the elongate element by the saw blade, whereby the elongate element can be clamped to hold the elongate element in a fixed position, and a first cut made, then the elongate element is released and moved by being at least one of rotated and moved along and about the lengthwise axis so that second precise cut is made to a desired depth at a desired position in relationship to the first cut.