a powder is applied to a glass ribbon as the ribbon is displaced between an annealing lehr and a cutting station . the powder on the ribbon facilitates removal of glass chips generated during the cutting of the ribbon into sheets and projected onto the top surface of the glass ribbon . the powder is applied by vaporizing same in a chamber and condensing the vaporized powder on or allowing the powder to condense in the chamber and fall on the top surface of the ribbon as it is displaced past the chamber .