Why PILKINGTON GLASS?
Pilkington car glass is always produced on the OEM standards defined by the manufacturers a the cars. Pilkington is the only global glass manufacturer which produces windscreens, sidelights and backlights in the same plants and on the same production lines both for the car builders and the aftermarket customers. This means that Pilkington glass always uses highest quality standards.
The car glass is very important component in the whole body structure of motor vehicles (automobile, van, bus, or truck). Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have the quality control in place to produce a well-fitting part and are considered high quality producers.
Glass industry is no exception to the process of globalization. A lot of the North American and European producers have established production for original windscreen glass in various countries around the globe. As a result some of the most technologically advanced factories for original glasses now are located in South America, Asia and South Africa.
What matters for glass quality is not “where” but rather “who” it is purchased from. Is it from a reputable major world supplier with OEM quality standards? Also, just as importantly, is it being installed by trained technicians who know how to protect you and your vehicle?
You can have confidence that any glass installed by Pilkington meets or exceeds OEM standards (means that it is as good as the original piece of glass we are replacing) and that it will be done with all the proper procedures.
Replacement Glazings
Please take some time to view product features, accessorisation and some of the technical details which make the difference between a Pilkington car glass and a simple copy part. What is the difference?
Original Process vs Copy Maker
Car maker requirements well above copy maker
CAD Design & Bending Simulation
Pilkington is leader in the mathematical simulation of Glass bending and Glass Optical properties
Results in improved glass shape and optical quality
Copy makers do not do simulation
OE Standard for Aftermarket
Some OE producers have separate factories & lines for aftermarket glass
NSG / Pilkington have no “aftermarket” production facilities
• All aftermarket glass is supplied from OE manufacturing lines
• OE check fixtures are used
• One logo, one standard
Each factory tests glass to destruction 3 times a day
Does it make a Difference?
Laboratory comparison made of Pilkington OE supplier parts against leading copymaker
Glass Shape
• Measured at 18 points versus OE CAD shape
• Deviation increases risks of leakage, wind noise & stress on glass
Laboratory Study
Edge Dimensions (Size)
• Compare edge dimensions versus CAD
• Deviation causes wind noise, fitting difficulty
• Worst case: body contact & increased breakage
Fragility
• Stresses across the windscreen were measured
• Can greatly increase stone chip breakage
Optical Quality
• European standard tests
Optical Quality
Poor optics cause:
• Customer annoyance
• Increase risk of accidents
Results
Leading Copy Maker Parts
Pilkington parts were within OE specification. Unexpected result is increased susceptibility of copy parts to stone breakage.
• Bonus for glass fitter
• Cost for end customer
Glazing Features
Are customers getting what they paid for?
Glazing Features [Eurocodes]
• Sensors & Brackets [M]
• Trims [W, Z]
• Encapsulation [Z]
• Weight Reduction
• Heating [H]
• Head Up Displays [U]
• Heat Reflecting Coatings [CC, CD]
• Heat absorbing Interlayer [GB]
• Optimised Glass Tints [GS, BS, GD, GP, YD, YP]
• Camera Brackets [C]
Many features are not obvious to the consumer Until later…
Trims
Glass is supplied with quality trims as per OE
Fitter is saved expense of new trims purchase
Consumer gets a new trim in the right place, not the damaged old trim or a “Universal” trim that does not fit correctly, reduced returns for poor fitment or appearance.
Noise Reduction
Invisible apart from a small logo
Recognisable by tapping a naked glass
Widely used especially in Diesel vehicles
Consumers will often not connect additional noise with windscreen replacement
Heat Reflecting Windscreen
Reflects Solar heat away from glass
Common feature on many cars…
Feature is noticeable on close inspection
Many fitters replace with non-original standard green windscreen
Windscreens without correct gaps in coating will cause sensor malfunction
Heated Windscreens
Feature on many modern cars
Copy Versions often come:
• With reduced heating power giving very slow or incomplete defrosting
• Wrong connectors: risk of not working or even potential fire hazard
• No connectors: risk of DIY connections leading to a fire hazard
Heat Absorbing Interlayer
Invisible layer in windscreens that protects occupants from solar heat
Only recognised by glazing specialists
Increases comfort and reduce air conditioning load
Used in certain popular models Zafira, Yaris, Caddy, Berlingo…
Not supplied by most copymakers
Unscrupulous Fitters can fit incorrect part with little chance of detection
Encapsulation & Extrusion
Mouldings applied by polymerising rubber directly onto glass to give excellent adhesion and strength
Extrusions & Encapsulations used to bond glazing to vehicle
Copy trims have much reduced adhesion & appearance
Glass may not adhere to vehicle correctly in a collision