Automated System Takes Wrinkles Out Of Handling Ford Windshields

An automated conveyor and storage operation has been installed at the Dearborn glass plant of Ford Motor Co. to handle its windshield manufacturing peration. The system, which replaced a totally manual operation, is used to move the windshields from a lehr bending oven to a washer. The oven and washer are part of a windshield processing line at the plant. Major elements of the new system incude numerous belt and roller conveyors, storage racks, transfer carts, track-type shuttles, a glass separating station, a turnover device, and two robots.