Windscreen manufacture for project car
Windscreen manufacture for project car
(OP)
Hi,
Im looking for some information regarding windscreen manufacture. This is for a 1-off road vehicle (which is basically just my own project for now)
Ive also posted this question in the aeronautics forum, so I hope its ok to duplicate here.
An idea of the geometry I'm hoping to achieve is attached. Its largely a single curve at this stage to simplify manufacture.
Being a one off and for a personal project, expensive high pressure moulding techniques are out of the question. Obviously some sort of moulding will be required, and this is within my capability, though I imagine the surface finish requirements on any tooling would be very high.
Finally, Id like some advice on how to manage visual distortion. Is there some geometry (high curvature sections?) which will cause problems?
cheers guys
Tim
Im looking for some information regarding windscreen manufacture. This is for a 1-off road vehicle (which is basically just my own project for now)
Ive also posted this question in the aeronautics forum, so I hope its ok to duplicate here.
An idea of the geometry I'm hoping to achieve is attached. Its largely a single curve at this stage to simplify manufacture.
Being a one off and for a personal project, expensive high pressure moulding techniques are out of the question. Obviously some sort of moulding will be required, and this is within my capability, though I imagine the surface finish requirements on any tooling would be very high.
Finally, Id like some advice on how to manage visual distortion. Is there some geometry (high curvature sections?) which will cause problems?
cheers guys
Tim





RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Please Red Flag one and ask that it be deleted.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Does anyone know of resin which might be suitable to lay up (or spray) over a mould for this application. From my searching I have only found people moulding acrylic etc over moulds at elevated temperature. I was thinking a resin layup could be done at room temperature.
Tim
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
That's why people thermoform acrylic or polycarbonate sheet.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
The reason I ask is I have seen some flat panels of purely resin which had excellent transparancy. Obviously its more of a challenge to do this on a curved surface.
Tim
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
When I know the feedback is all happening in one place I can contribute in that place.
It is best if you red flag your own double post as that looks better than leaving it and making us do it to you.
It is best if you copy all replies to date to the thread you intend to keep.
It is OK and if you red flag a thread with reply's it is a really good idea to post a short note directing anyone interested to the live thread.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
I would think the steel would break the glass with delta T or CTE
at any rate they figured it out some how.
If you could find a close fit a water knife can cut the size. The contour will need a graphite drape mold and a lot of heat.
I don't know anything but the people that do.
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Don't know how much you're willing to spend, but these guys will make you a one-off in laminated automotive safety glass. There's not much dedicated tooling required and it would probably not be as expensive as you would imagine.
http://ww
Hope that helps.
Terry
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Have you given any thought to the cost of ever having to replace this?
Much more conservative to take an existing windshield that is widely available and cheap, and about right, and tweak the design to fit the design to fit the windshield.
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Regards
Pat
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RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
It can be improved by coating, but that is quite expensive and still not quite up to withstanding wiper blades over a dry dusty windscreen.
Do you know how much weight could be saved and chip and crack resistance could be improved by a PC screen, yet OEM still does not use it.
In pristine condition, its impact resistance is far superior to even laminated glass, but once exposed to chlorinated or aromativ hydrocarbons, the impact resistance falls to almost nothing and there is nothing to indicate the deterioration.
This does not matter so much for side and rear glasses or headlights, but I think it is unacceptable for the windscreen on anything but a pure fine weather race car.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
I agree with you, but since it's a one off project i am tempted to think it will not see that much road and grime and a PC screen would be a cheap way to have something acceptable for a while at least.
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Regards
Pat
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RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Regards
Pat
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RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
Not sure if it's the acrylic itself or a scratch-resistant coating they lay on top... I never bothered trying to scratch an edge, but if I remember when I get back to the shop I'll try it.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
It will be a coating. While normal acrylic has exceptionally good scratch resistance for a plastic and vastly better than untreated PC it is not even in the same ballpark as glass. To resist steel wool it needs a coating.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
I have ridden in a car with a plastic windscreen and besides vision distortion the direct sun diffused and blinded us for a while. Although that was some time ago I am sure the new acrylics are much better.
I don't know anything but the people that do.
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA038849
RE: Windscreen manufacture for project car
http://www.exatec.de/
-Dave
NX 5.0.6.3mp7