Computer Simulation of Float Glass Stretching

Abstract

Manufacture of thin float glass entails stretching glass from its equilibrium thickness of ≃ 7 mm. The glass ribbon is stretched mainly in the longitudinal dimension. However, when edge rollers are used, significant stretching occurs in the lateral dimension also and an earlier one‐dimensional analysis of stretching cannot model this more complex process. This paper presents a two‐dimensional computer model of stretching and the results of a typical simulation based on this model. These results demonstrate the model's ability to simulate stretching and flow in two dimensions. The present model can be used to perform computer experiments to study the effects of various operating conditions on the dimensions and quality of float glass.