Build robots to help analyze and develop new types of glass

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany have created a robot capable of analyzing characteristics and developing new types of glass. This robot was introduced at the Productronica fair in Munich, Germany.

"Robot has helped us speed up the process of developing new glass components", according to Professor Martin Kilo, head of expert team on glass and high temperature materials in Silicate research, Institute Fraunhofer, Germany.

To create a new type of glass with a host of new properties, the experts mixed the mixture of nearly ten different (potentially) compounds. These compounds are heated in kilns (glass cooking) until they become soft, then they are poured into the mold and allowed to cool down to room temperature.

In this process, glass samples (poured into molds) are removed for analysis: about natural adhesion; the way this glass material rinses (adheres to) on metal surfaces; and monitor crystallization process.

This is a time-consuming process, however, according to the report: the robot can handle 16 glass samples within 24 hours, a task that an expert will need about two weeks to complete.

The robot places a cup of mixture on the scale ruler and moves the mixture cup under 14 storage devices, to produce the amount of powder corresponding to a certain amount of mixture poured into the cup.

"The robot blends the individual ingredients by sealing the cup containing the mixture and shaking it well, manipulating it like a bartender who is shaking a glass of cocktail", according to Kilo.

After that, the robotic arm will take a glass crucible, place it in a scale, fill a certain amount of flour mixture and place the glass crucible into one of the five ovens (glass cooking).

This operation is repeated many times, because the gases are generated, when the flour mixture is heated and the air bubbles form, which means that the powder mixture shrinks during the melting process.

After the glass has achieved a certain degree of adhesion, the robotic arm will remove the glass crucible, pour the glass into a new mold and place the glass container in a stress-reducing oven. Here, glass will cool down (controlled), down from about 600 - 800 ° C down to room temperature.

"This robot is primarily designed to help customers develop new types of glass", according to Kilo. However, depending on the needs of customers, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany, will consider making additional versions or even selling them separately.