Heterogeneous hybrid optical localized forming of glass sheet with closed curved shape

Abstract

This study proposes the heterogeneous hybrid optical forming (HHOF) method, which is designed to produce high-quality glass sheets with closely curved shapes for modern portable display devices. The proposed HHOF method utilizes a combination of broad-spectrum near-infrared (NIR) lamps and a monochromatic CO₂ laser to achieve localized softening of the glass, which enables precise deformation by gravity into closely curved profiles. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional high-temperature forming methods, i.e. the mold press forming, vacuum forming, and self-weight forming method, by enhancing forming accuracy, reducing thermal damage, and expanding the range of achievable curvatures. Experimental results demonstrate that the optimization of key parameters, including lamp power, laser settings, and mold rotation, achieves high-throughput and high-precision production of glass windows with a uniform curvature of R2.4 and an average curve angle of 178.5° with a standard deviation of 0.15° without thermal damage. The HHOF method represents a significant advancement in the manufacturing of durable and aesthetically pleasing curved glass for cutting-edge electronic devices.