Curved Windscreen Glass
Discussion
Are there any companies in the UK that can make a windscreen?
Similar size and dims to a Boxster (but different), can provide a glass fibre version as a buck etc.
Is this now something that can only be done for large quantities (I only want 2-3) had a couple of quotes but most were north of 3 grand including tooling and located overseas.
Similar size and dims to a Boxster (but different), can provide a glass fibre version as a buck etc.
Is this now something that can only be done for large quantities (I only want 2-3) had a couple of quotes but most were north of 3 grand including tooling and located overseas.
Now I know nothing about this but...
I was under the impression that the way non-OEM screens get made is direct from a numerical specification which specifies the shape and bends etc.
This is fed into a hot roller jobbie that curls the glass to the appropriate shape.
So if you can get the specification done in the correct format, then all the supplier has to do is set his machine to cut the right shape and roll the curves into it.
I was under the impression that the way non-OEM screens get made is direct from a numerical specification which specifies the shape and bends etc.
This is fed into a hot roller jobbie that curls the glass to the appropriate shape.
So if you can get the specification done in the correct format, then all the supplier has to do is set his machine to cut the right shape and roll the curves into it.
would you not better off adapting your project to take a stock windscreen from a manufactured car. My Stylus uses an old lotus elan w/s which prevents the buffeting that you get with a flat w/s.
That way in 10 years time if it needs a new one it would be easier to get hold of a replacement.
You could also try contacting the company who make the subaru based kit car, i cant remember whats they are called but they may have theirs made to their spec.
That way in 10 years time if it needs a new one it would be easier to get hold of a replacement.
You could also try contacting the company who make the subaru based kit car, i cant remember whats they are called but they may have theirs made to their spec.
Try Paul Davenport at Plastics 4 performance, they can do you polycarbonate screens with a anti scratch coating on the outside and anti-fog on the inside...
or he'll tell you who to talk to if you realy want a glass one...
http://www.plastics4performance.co.uk/
or he'll tell you who to talk to if you realy want a glass one...
http://www.plastics4performance.co.uk/
Edited by Pilky on Thursday 8th January 22:35
Company in Aus, a member here is linked to them - when I talked to them it worked out considerably cheaper to get them to make several and ship them over than it did to get a couple done in the UK! Come e-marked so good for SVA etc.
If I had access to my files I could give you a name which would be more helpful, but I don't so I'm afraid I'll have to leave you dangling till someone else pipes in with it
Could try a search if you want as I've mentioned their name before on here - I can't be bothered trying to get the crappy search function working I'm afraid.
If I had access to my files I could give you a name which would be more helpful, but I don't so I'm afraid I'll have to leave you dangling till someone else pipes in with it
Could try a search if you want as I've mentioned their name before on here - I can't be bothered trying to get the crappy search function working I'm afraid.
Edited by Davi on Friday 9th January 09:50
There are two sides to Pilkington in the UK, one dealing with high volume motor manufacturers' requirements and the other dealing with very small volume specialist glass.
They will produce one glass and the type of tooling required will depend on whether another glass will ever be required again. We have a very good relationship with both sides of the business and could field the enquiry from the OP if he wishes.
There is also an option to cut the required finished glass from an existing windscreen if the shape matches. This is something that we have done on many occasions in the past for prototypes and one off vehicles.
They will produce one glass and the type of tooling required will depend on whether another glass will ever be required again. We have a very good relationship with both sides of the business and could field the enquiry from the OP if he wishes.
There is also an option to cut the required finished glass from an existing windscreen if the shape matches. This is something that we have done on many occasions in the past for prototypes and one off vehicles.
Edited by 530dTPhil on Sunday 11th January 09:08
530dTPhil said:
There are two sides to Pilkington in the UK, one dealing with high volume motor manufacturers' requirements and the other dealing with very small volume specialist glass.
They will produce one glass and the type of tooling required will depend on whether another glass will ever be required again. We have a very good relationship with both sides of the business and could field the enquiry from the OP if he wishes.
There is also an option to cut the required finished glass from an existing windscreen if the shape matches. This is something that we have done on many occasions n the past for prototypes and one off vehicles.
Is that through Pilkington or are you just referring to general screen cutting? They will produce one glass and the type of tooling required will depend on whether another glass will ever be required again. We have a very good relationship with both sides of the business and could field the enquiry from the OP if he wishes.
There is also an option to cut the required finished glass from an existing windscreen if the shape matches. This is something that we have done on many occasions n the past for prototypes and one off vehicles.
I asked Pilkington about one off glass production, they were rather expensive!
The screen cutting is something that we (not Pilkington) have done by comparing the customer's pattern against our extensive stock range. Experience plays a big part in picking the likely donor screens though.
Obviously there is more chance of success with this if you think about the glass shape at the beginning of the design process rather than at the final stages. Sadly this doesn't happen often enough.
Obviously there is more chance of success with this if you think about the glass shape at the beginning of the design process rather than at the final stages. Sadly this doesn't happen often enough.
Edited by 530dTPhil on Sunday 11th January 09:11
There's a conspiracy out against me 
Managed to do myself an injury just before Christmas '07, it meant I couldn't do a lot of the house extension works that I'd intended to do myself. Putting hand in pocket to pay un-budgeted labourers and hassle with the workshop planning means that's had to be put on hold till job security has been established - no workshop, no project
Managed to do myself an injury just before Christmas '07, it meant I couldn't do a lot of the house extension works that I'd intended to do myself. Putting hand in pocket to pay un-budgeted labourers and hassle with the workshop planning means that's had to be put on hold till job security has been established - no workshop, no project
530dTPhil said:
The screen cutting is something that we (not Pilkington) have done by comparing the customer's pattern against our extensive stock range. Experience plays a big part in picking the likely donor screens though.
Obviously there is more chance of success with this if you think about the glass shape at the beginning of the design process rather than at the final stages. Sadly this doesn't happen often enough.
Sorry, rather late pick-up of this thread!Obviously there is more chance of success with this if you think about the glass shape at the beginning of the design process rather than at the final stages. Sadly this doesn't happen often enough.
Edited by 530dTPhil on Sunday 11th January 09:11
Do you hold CAD data for the screens? In designing or modifying a vehicle, it would be, err, considerably easier to look at that sort of data (whether to have cut-down or to use as stock) rather than trawling through books, magazines, websites etc. looking for something that "looks right"!
Re cutting-down screens, what are the limitations to that process, and how much does it cost?
Thanks!
Customers supplying CAD data for low volume screen manufacture are few and far between. Over the past three years we have probably produced half a dozen glasses from CAD files. What we normally receive is a wooden buck of the intended shape which is then used to produce bending and checking fixtures for the glass.
CAD data is the best way to go and produces very good results right from the beginning. For the likes of Farbio and Noble with the technology to do it this wasn't a problem, but when someone is rebuilding a one off vehicle or trying to go into very low volume production, it can be a cost too far.
We have had good success with cutting screens down for other applications as long as we have something to aim for. The rear screen for the Talbot Lago Teardrop recreation in http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... is something that we supplied and fitted. This was cut from a car windscreen and was millimetre perfect to the aluminium buck supplied.
If you can supply a pattern of what you require, we can usually come up with something very close cut from another glass.
CAD data is the best way to go and produces very good results right from the beginning. For the likes of Farbio and Noble with the technology to do it this wasn't a problem, but when someone is rebuilding a one off vehicle or trying to go into very low volume production, it can be a cost too far.
We have had good success with cutting screens down for other applications as long as we have something to aim for. The rear screen for the Talbot Lago Teardrop recreation in http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... is something that we supplied and fitted. This was cut from a car windscreen and was millimetre perfect to the aluminium buck supplied.
If you can supply a pattern of what you require, we can usually come up with something very close cut from another glass.
Edited by 530dTPhil on Monday 16th March 07:22
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