Smart manufacturing (SM)systems include data management and data analysis, which provide real-time actionable information that can be used to optimize and build system intelligence into manufacturing operations. The ability to utilize SM systems is essential for high-technology glass production. In liquid crystal display applications, screen resolution, material strength, weight, and shape are all elements that require advanced manufacturing to produce industry leading glass products. Timely measurements, data analysis, process models, and process controls are key components of a SM framework ass is the integration of these components through the automation components of a SM framework as is the integration of these components through the automation of manufacturing tasks and the digitization of workflows that include both machines and human users. As with any continuous production process, these technologies are important for achieving high quality and high yields in glass manufacturing. The SM approach, the needs that it satisfies,a nd benefits that may be realized are described in this paper. Further, a SM framework that applies to continuous production of high-technology glass is described where advanced process controls are enabled through data integration, measurements and modeling to improve process performance.
