JP7495659B2 - Glass plate manufacturing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing glass sheets by cutting a glass ribbon transported in a vertical position.

As is well known, glass plates are widely used as glass substrates for panel displays such as liquid crystal displays and organic electroluminescence displays, and as cover glass for smartphones, tablet PCs, etc.

One method for manufacturing glass sheets is to cut a glass ribbon that has been continuously formed by a down-draw method, such as the overflow down-draw method, into a predetermined length, and then cut the glass sheet from the glass ribbon.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an apparatus used in such a manufacturing method. The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a scribing mechanism that descends following the glass ribbon that is transported downward after forming, and forms a scribe line on one side of the glass ribbon, and a bending mechanism that descends following the glass ribbon, and applies bending stress to the part where the scribe line is formed, thereby bending and cutting the glass ribbon.

The scribing mechanism includes a wheel cutter that contacts one side of the glass ribbon. The wheel cutter is connected to a belt-type drive unit. The drive unit includes an endless belt to which the wheel cutter is fixed, and a drive wheel and a driven wheel around which the belt is wound.

The scribing mechanism moves downward at the same speed as the conveying speed of the glass ribbon, while the drive unit moves the wheel cutter in the width direction of the glass ribbon, forming a scribe line on one side of the glass ribbon.

The breaking mechanism includes a fulcrum bar that contacts the other side of the glass ribbon where the scribe line is formed and serves as a fulcrum for breaking and cutting, and a support device (breaking arm) that supports a portion of the glass ribbon.

The bending mechanism applies bending stress to the glass ribbon by bringing the fulcrum bar into contact with the glass ribbon and supporting the glass ribbon with the support device, and changing the position of the support device around the contact position between the fulcrum bar and the glass ribbon.

The manufacturing device uses this bending stress to propagate cracks starting from the scribe line in the thickness direction of the glass ribbon, allowing a portion of the glass ribbon supported by the supporting device to be cut out as a glass sheet.

JP 2017-114686 A

Conventional manufacturing equipment could generate dust. If dust adheres to the glass ribbon, it will degrade the quality of the glass sheet produced. Because the glass ribbon is in a high temperature state during cutting, dust that adheres (melts) to the glass ribbon is difficult to remove even in the subsequent glass sheet cleaning process. This results in a deterioration in the quality of the glass sheet.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its technical objective is to prevent deterioration of the quality of glass sheets.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and is a glass plate manufacturing apparatus including a cutting device that forms a glass plate by cutting a glass ribbon that is transported downward in a vertical position, the cutting device being characterized by including a cutting mechanism that cuts the glass ribbon, a drive unit that drives the cutting mechanism, and a dust collection device that collects dust generated from the drive unit.

According to this configuration, when the glass ribbon is cut by the cutting mechanism, dust generated from the drive unit is collected by the dust collector, thereby preventing dust from adhering to the glass ribbon. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the glass sheet.

In the manufacturing apparatus having the above configuration, the drive unit may include a belt and a cover member that covers the belt, and the dust collection device may include a connection part that is connected to the cover member so as to suck the inside of the cover member. In the present invention, dust generated from the belt inside the cover member is collected by the connection part of the dust collection device, thereby preventing the dust from adhering to the glass ribbon.

In the manufacturing apparatus having the above configuration, the cutting mechanism may include a scribing mechanism that forms a scribe line on the glass ribbon, and the drive unit may raise and lower the scribing mechanism. In the present invention, dust generated from the drive unit that raises and lowers the scribing mechanism is collected by a dust collector, thereby preventing the dust from adhering to the glass ribbon.

In the manufacturing apparatus having the above configuration, the cutting mechanism may include a scribing mechanism that forms a scribe line on the glass ribbon, the scribing mechanism may include a cutter that forms the scribe line on the glass ribbon, and the driving unit may move the cutter along the width direction of the glass ribbon. In the present invention, dust generated from the driving unit that drives the cutter is collected by a dust collecting device, thereby preventing dust from adhering to the glass ribbon.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and is characterized in that, in a method for manufacturing a glass sheet using the above manufacturing apparatus, the method includes a cutting process for cutting the glass ribbon using the cutting device, and the cutting process includes a dust collection process for collecting the dust generated from the drive unit using the dust collection device.

According to this configuration, during the cutting process, dust generated from the drive unit is collected by the dust collection process, thereby preventing the dust from adhering to the glass ribbon. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the glass sheet.

The present invention makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of glass sheets.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a side view of the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the scribing device taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the scribe driving part taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lifting drive unit taken along the line VV of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the scribing device taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a step in a method for producing a glass plate. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a step in a method for producing a glass plate. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a step in a method for producing a glass plate.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 9 show an embodiment of a glass plate manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method according to the present invention.

The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a cutting device that cuts the glass ribbon that is transported downward in a vertical position. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cutting device 1 includes a scribing device 2 that forms a scribe line SL on the glass ribbon GR, a bending and breaking device 3 that bends and breaks the glass ribbon GR along the scribe line SL, and a dust collection device 4.

The scribing device 2 includes a scribing mechanism 5, a scribing drive unit 6 that drives the scribing mechanism 5, lifting mechanisms 7a and 7b that raise and lower the scribing mechanism 5, and lifting drives 8a and 8b that drive the lifting mechanisms 7a and 7b, respectively.

The scribing mechanism 5 includes a wheel cutter 9 that forms a scribe line SL on one surface (hereinafter referred to as the "first main surface") GRa of the glass ribbon GR, and a support bar 10 as a support member that supports the other surface (hereinafter referred to as the "second main surface") GRb of the glass ribbon GR.

The wheel cutter 9 is formed in a disk shape with a blade (edge) on the periphery. The wheel cutter 9 is configured to be movable along the width direction of the glass ribbon GR by the scribe drive unit 6. This allows the wheel cutter 9 to form a scribe line SL from one end to the other end in the width direction of the glass ribbon GR.

The wheel cutter 9 is configured to be able to approach and move away from the first main surface GRa of the glass ribbon GR. The wheel cutter 9 can change its position between a standby position away from the glass ribbon GR as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and a contact position in contact with the first main surface GRa of the glass ribbon GR as shown by the two-dot chain line.

The support bar 10 is composed of a rod-shaped member or a plate-shaped member that is configured in an elongated shape along the width direction of the glass ribbon GR, but is not limited to this shape. The support bar 10 is arranged to face the wheel cutter 9 across the glass ribbon GR. The support bar 10 is configured to be able to approach and move away from the second main surface GRb of the glass ribbon GR. The support bar 10 can change its position between a standby position away from the glass ribbon GR as shown by the solid line in Figure 2, and a contact position in contact with the second main surface GRb of the glass ribbon GR as shown by the two-dot chain line.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the scribe drive unit 6 is composed of a belt-type drive unit. The scribe drive unit 6 includes a belt 11 that movably supports the wheel cutter 9, pulleys 12a and 12b arranged inside the belt 11, and a cover member 13 that covers the belt 11 and the pulleys 12a and 12b.

The belt 11 is made of resin or the like and is formed into an endless belt shape. The pulleys 12a, 12b include a drive pulley 12a and a driven pulley 12b that are spaced apart along the width direction of the glass ribbon GR. The drive pulley 12a is driven to rotate by an electric motor. The belt 11 is driven by the drive pulley 12a to move the wheel cutter 9 along the width direction of the glass ribbon GR.

The cover member 13 is configured in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, but is not limited to this shape. The cover member 13 is configured with multiple walls surrounding the belt 11 and pulleys 12a and 12b. The cover member 13 has an opening 13a that is connected to the dust collection device 4.

The lifting mechanisms 7a, 7b include a first lifting mechanism 7a that raises and lowers the wheel cutter 9 and the scribe drive unit 6, and a second lifting mechanism 7b that raises and lowers the support bar 10. Each of the lifting mechanisms 7a, 7b is configured, for example, by a ball screw mechanism, but is not limited to this configuration and can be configured by various actuators capable of lifting and lowering.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first lifting mechanism 7a includes a pair of a first screw member 14a and a second screw member 14b, and a pair of a first nut member 15a and a second nut member 15b that engage with each of the screw members 14a and 14b.

The lower end of each screw member 14a, 14b is fixed to the upper part of the cover member 13 in the scribe drive unit 6. Each nut member 15a, 15b is rotatably supported by a support structure. The nut members 15a, 15b are rotated by the lift drive unit 8a to lift and lower the screw members 14a, 14b.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second lifting mechanism 7b includes a pair of a first screw member 16a and a second screw member 16b, and a pair of a first nut member 17a and a second nut member 17b that engage with the respective screw members 16a and 16b.

The lower end of each screw member 16a, 16b is connected to the support bar 10. The nut members 17a, 17b are rotated by the lifting drive unit 8b to raise and lower the screw members 16a, 16b.

The lifting and lowering drive units 8a, 8b include a first lifting and lowering drive unit 8a that drives the first lifting and lowering mechanism 7a, and a second lifting and lowering drive unit 8b that drives the second lifting and lowering mechanism 7b.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the first lifting drive unit 8a includes belts 18a and 18b wound around nut members 15a and 15b of the first lifting mechanism 7a, a drive pulley 19 that drives the belts 18a and 18b, an electric motor 20 that drives and rotates the drive pulley 19, and a cover member 21 that covers the belts 18a and 18b and the drive pulley 19.

The belts 18a and 18b are made of resin or the like and are formed in an endless belt shape. The belts 18a and 18b include a first belt 18a that drives the first nut member 15a and a second belt 18b that drives the second nut member 15b. The first belt 18a is wound around the first nut member 15a and the drive pulley 19. The second belt 18b is wound around the second nut member 15b and the drive pulley 19.

The drive pulley 19 is disposed inside the first belt 18a and inside the second belt 18b. The electric motor 20 is, for example, a servo motor, but is not limited to this configuration and may be various other motors. The shaft of the electric motor 20 is connected to the drive pulley 19. The drive pulley 19 is configured to be able to rotate forward and backward by the electric motor 20.

The cover member 21 is configured in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, but is not limited to this shape. The cover member 21 is configured with multiple wall portions surrounding the belts 18a, 18b and the drive pulley 19. In addition to the belts 18a, 18b and the drive pulley 19, the cover member 21 accommodates parts of the screw members 14a, 14b of the first lifting mechanism 7a and the nut members 15a, 15b. The cover member 21 has an opening 21a that is connected to the dust collection device 4. A support structure that rotatably supports the nut members 15a, 15b is arranged inside the cover member 21.

The second lifting drive unit 8b has the same configuration as the first lifting drive unit 8a. As shown in FIG. 6, the second lifting drive unit 8b includes a first belt 22a and a second belt 22b made of resin and having an endless belt shape that are wound around the nut members 17a and 17b of the second lifting mechanism 7b, a drive pulley 23 that drives the belts 22a and 22b, an electric motor 24 that rotates and drives the drive pulley 23, and a cover member 25 that covers the belts 22a and 22b and the drive pulley 23.

The cover member 25 of the second lifting drive unit 8b is configured in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, but is not limited to this shape. The cover member 25 is configured with multiple wall portions surrounding the belts 22a, 22b and the drive pulley 23. In addition to the belts 22a, 22b and the drive pulley 23, the cover member 25 houses parts of the screw members 16a, 16b and the nut members 17a, 17b of the second lifting mechanism 7b. The cover member 25 has an opening 25a that is connected to the dust collection device 4. A support structure that rotatably supports the nut members 17a, 17b is arranged inside the cover member 25.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the glass cutting device 3 includes a cutting mechanism 26 that cuts the glass ribbon GR, and a cutting lifting mechanism 27 that raises and lowers the cutting mechanism 26.

The bending mechanism 26 includes a fulcrum bar 28 that forms a fulcrum for bending the glass ribbon GR, and support devices 29a, 29b that support a portion of the glass ribbon GR and are configured to be capable of changing their posture to impart bending stress to the glass ribbon GR.

The fulcrum bar 28 is made of a rod-shaped or plate-shaped member that is elongated along the width direction of the glass ribbon GR, but is not limited to this shape. The fulcrum bar 28 is disposed below the scribing mechanism 5.

The fulcrum bar 28 is configured to be able to move toward and away from the glass ribbon GR. The fulcrum bar 28 can change its position between a standby position where it waits away from the glass ribbon GR as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and a contact position where it contacts the second main surface GRb of the glass ribbon GR as shown by the two-dot chain line. The fulcrum bar 28 is configured to be able to move in the vertical direction. The fulcrum bar 28 can move downward at the same speed as the descending speed of the glass ribbon GR.

The support devices 29a, 29b are disposed below the fulcrum bar 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the support devices 29a, 29b include a first support device 29a that supports one end of the glass ribbon GR in the width direction, and a second support device 29b that supports the other end of the glass ribbon GR in the width direction. The first support device 29a and the second support device 29b are disposed so as to face each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon GR.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each support device 29a, 29b includes a plurality of chucks 30 arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and a frame 31 that supports each chuck 30.

The frame 31 is configured to perform a predetermined rocking motion (rotating motion) to impart bending stress to the glass ribbon GR. The frame 31 is connected to a rocking mechanism for performing this rocking motion. The rocking mechanism is connected to a drive unit (rocking drive unit) that drives this rocking mechanism.

The folding and elevating mechanism 27 includes a support member 27a that supports the frame 31, and a support pillar 27b that supports the support member 27a so that it can be raised and lowered. The support pillar 27b is provided with a motor or other drive unit (folding and elevating drive unit) that raises and lowers the support member 27a. The folding and elevating mechanism 27 can move the frame 31 downward at the same speed as the downward movement speed of the glass ribbon GR.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the dust collection device 4 includes a first connection part 32 connected to the scribe drive part 6, a second connection part 33 connected to the lift drive parts 8a and 8b, a suction part 34 that sucks up glass powder generated when the glass ribbon GR is cut, a third connection part 35 connected to the suction part 34, and a dust collector 36 connected to the first connection part 32 to the third connection part 35.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the first connection part 32 is configured of a flexible hose. The first connection part 32 is fixed to the cover member 13 so as to communicate with the opening 13a of the cover member 13 in the scribe drive unit 6. The first connection part 32 is configured to suck in dust such as wear powder generated in the internal space of the cover member 13. In particular, wear powder is likely to be generated at the contact area between the belt 11 and the pulleys 12a and 12b, so the first connection part 32 is disposed near the pulleys 12a and 12b.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the second connection part 33 is configured by a flexible hose. The second connection part 33 is fixed to the cover members 21 and 25 so as to communicate with the openings 21a and 25a formed in the cover members 21 and 25 of the lifting drive parts 8a and 8b. The second connection part 33 is configured to suck in dust such as wear powder generated in the internal space of the cover members 21 and 25. In particular, wear debris is likely to be generated at the contact points between the belts 18a, 18b, 22a, 22b and the drive pulleys 19, 23, and at the contact points between the belts 18a, 18b, 22a, 22b, the screw members 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, and the nut members 15a, 15b, 17a, 17b, so the second connection portion 33 is positioned near the drive pulleys 19, 23, the screw members 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, and the nut members 15a, 15b, 17a, 17b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the suction unit 34 is arranged to face the fulcrum bar 28 via the glass ribbon GR. The suction unit 34 is configured to be able to approach and move away from the glass ribbon GR. The suction unit 34 can change its position between a standby position away from the glass ribbon GR as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and a suction position located near the first main surface GRa of the glass ribbon GR as shown by the two-dot chain line.

The suction unit 34 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. The suction unit 34 can move downward at the same speed as the descending speed of the glass ribbon GR. The third connection unit 35 is configured of a flexible hose. The third connection unit 35 is fixed to a part of the suction unit 34 so as to send the glass powder sucked by the suction unit 34 to the dust collector 36.

The dust collector 36 is composed of a suction device that generates negative pressure in each of the connection parts 32, 33, and 35. The dust collector 36 collects dust in each of the lifting drive parts 8a and 8b that is sucked by the first connection part 32 and the second connection part 33. The dust collector 36 collects glass powder that is sucked by the suction part 34 through the third connection part 35.

The following describes a method for manufacturing a glass sheet using the manufacturing device (cutting device 1) configured as described above. This method includes a cutting process for cutting out a glass sheet by bending and breaking a portion of the glass ribbon GR.

In the cutting process, the cutting device 1 cuts a portion of the glass ribbon GR in a vertical position that is formed above the cutting device 1 and transported downward. The cutting process includes a scribing process for forming a scribe line SL in the glass ribbon GR, a bending stress applying process for applying bending stress to the glass ribbon GR, and a dust collection process using the dust collection device 4.

In the scribing process, a scribe line SL is formed along the width direction in the middle of the glass ribbon GR by the scribing device 2. The scribing mechanism 5 of the scribing device 2 forms the scribe line SL on the first main surface GRa of the glass ribbon GR while descending at the same speed as the descending speed of the glass ribbon GR.

In addition, in the scribing process, the breaking and splitting device 3 lowers the breaking and splitting mechanism 26 at the same speed as the lowering speed of the glass ribbon GR, with a portion of the glass ribbon GR supported by the support devices 29a and 29b of the breaking and splitting mechanism 26.

As shown in FIG. 7, the scribing mechanism 5 moves the wheel cutter 9 and the support bar 10 from the standby position to the contact position. With the support bar 10 in contact with the second main surface GRb of the glass ribbon GR, the scribing mechanism 5 moves the wheel cutter 9 from one end to the other end in the width direction of the glass ribbon GR.

As a result, a linear scribe line SL is formed along the width direction on the first main surface GRa of the glass ribbon GR. Once the scribe line SL is formed, the scribing mechanism 5 moves the wheel cutter 9 and the support bar 10 to the standby position.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the bending stress application process, the breaking device 3 moves the fulcrum bar 28 from the standby position to the contact position while maintaining the downward movement of the breaking mechanism 26. This causes the fulcrum bar 28 to contact a portion of the second main surface GRb that corresponds to the position where the scribe line SL is formed on the glass ribbon GR. The breaking mechanism 26 lowers the fulcrum bar 28 and the support devices 29a, 29b at the same speed as the lowering speed of the glass ribbon GR.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the bending stress application process, the dust collection device 4 moves the suction unit 34 from the standby position to the suction position while lowering the suction unit 34 at the same speed as the descent speed of the glass ribbon GR. As a result, the suction unit 34 is positioned near the scribe line SL. The suction unit 34 moves downward together with the glass ribbon GR while maintaining the suction position.

As shown in FIG. 9, during its descent, the folding mechanism 26 oscillates (rotates) the frame 31 while maintaining support of the glass ribbon GR by the chucks 30 of the support devices 29a and 29b. In this case, the frame 31 oscillates to a predetermined angle with the contact position between the fulcrum bar 28 and the glass ribbon GR as the center (fulcrum). This causes the support devices 29a and 29b to change their posture from a vertical posture to a folding posture (inclined posture).

In this way, by changing the position of the support devices 29a, 29b (frame 31), bending stress is applied to the portion of the glass ribbon GR where the scribe line SL is formed. The action of this bending stress causes a crack starting from the scribe line SL to propagate in the thickness direction of the glass ribbon GR. As a result, a portion of the glass ribbon GR supported by the support devices 29a, 29b is cut out as a glass sheet GS.

In the dust collection process, the dust collection device 4 operates the dust collector 36 at all times, and sucks in the air in the scribe drive unit 6 and the lift drive units 8a, 8b via the first connection unit 32 and the second connection unit 33. This allows the dust collector 36 to collect dust such as wear powder generated from the belts 11, 18a, 18b, 22a, 22b. In addition, the dust collection device 4 collects glass powder generated when the glass sheet GS is cut out from the glass ribbon GR by the dust collector 36 through the suction unit 34 and the third connection unit 35.

According to the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method for the glass sheet GS according to the present embodiment described above, in the dust collection process, the air in the scribe drive unit 6 and the lift drive units 8a and 8b that drive the cutting mechanisms such as the scribing mechanism 5 and the lifting mechanisms 7a and 7b involved in cutting the glass ribbon GR is sucked in by the dust collector 4, thereby removing dust such as wear particles generated from the belts 11, 18a, 18b, 22a, and 22b of each drive unit 6, 8a, and 8b. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of the glass sheet GS due to dust adhering to the glass ribbon GR.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, nor is it limited to the above-mentioned effects. Various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, a scribing device 2 equipped with a support bar 10 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The scribing mechanism 5 of the scribing device 2 may be equipped with a cylindrical support roller instead of the support bar 10.

In this case, the scribing mechanism 5 may be configured so that the support roller and the wheel cutter 9 move synchronously along the width direction of the glass ribbon GR while sandwiching the glass ribbon GR between them from both the first main surface GRa and the second main surface GRb. In this case, the scribing device 2 may include a belt-type drive unit that moves the support roller. This drive unit may have the same configuration as the scribe drive unit 6 associated with the wheel cutter 9. The dust collection device 4 may include a connection unit that is connected to the scribe drive unit associated with the support roller. This connection unit may have the same configuration as the first connection unit 32.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which dust generated from the scribe drive unit 6 and lift drive units 8a, 8b of the scribing device 2 is collected by the dust collection device 4, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The cutting mechanism according to the present invention includes not only the scribing mechanism 5 and lift mechanisms 7a, 7b, but also the slitting mechanism 26 and the rocking mechanism. The drive units that are the subject of dust collection by the dust collection device 4 include the slitting lift drive unit that drives the slitting mechanism 26 of the slitting device 3 and the rocking drive unit that drives the rocking mechanism. The dust collection device 4 may be provided with a connection unit that is connected to these drive units.

In the above embodiment, the objects to be collected are, for example, wear particles generated from belts 11, 18a, 18b, 22a, and 22b, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Dust collection device 4 can collect dust consisting of oil stains generated from lubricating oil, for example.

In the above embodiment, the wheel cutter 9 is exemplified as a member for forming the scribe line SL, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Any other member may be used for forming the scribe line SL as long as it can form the scribe line SL by moving over the first main surface GRa of the glass ribbon GR. As an example, a needle-shaped blade or the like may be used as the scribe line forming member.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cutting device 4 Dust collection device 5 Scribe mechanism 6 Scribe drive section 7a First lifting mechanism 7b Second lifting mechanism 8a First lifting drive section 8b Second lifting drive section 9 Wheel cutter 11 Belt 13 Cover member 18a First belt 18b Second belt 21 Cover member 22a First belt 22b Second belt 25 Cover member 26 Snapping mechanism 32 First connection section 33 Second connection section GR Glass ribbon GS Glass plate

Claims (4)

1. A glass sheet manufacturing apparatus including a cutting device for forming a glass sheet by cutting a glass ribbon conveyed downward in a vertical position,
The cutting device includes a cutting mechanism that cuts the glass ribbon, a drive unit that drives the cutting mechanism, and a dust collecting device that collects dust generated from the drive unit ,
The drive unit includes a belt and a cover member that covers the belt.
The apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet , wherein the dust collecting device has a connection portion connected to the cover member so as to suck the inside of the cover member. The cutting mechanism includes a scribing mechanism for forming a scribe line in the glass ribbon,
The apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit raises and lowers the scribing mechanism. The cutting mechanism includes a scribing mechanism for forming a scribe line in the glass ribbon,
the scribing mechanism includes a cutter that forms the scribe line in the glass ribbon;
The apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the driving unit moves the cutter along a width direction of the glass ribbon. A method for producing a glass sheet by the production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A cutting step of cutting the glass ribbon by the cutting device,
The method for manufacturing a glass plate, wherein the cutting step includes a dust collecting step of collecting the dust generated from the drive unit by the dust collecting device.

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