fbpx

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

Original Process vs Copy Maker

Car maker requirements well above copy maker

CAD Design & Bending Simulation

CAD Design and 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

pm-bg-36-0

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

18 points measurements

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

why shape matters

Optical Quality

optical quality

Poor optics cause:
• Customer annoyance
• Increase risk of accidents

Results

Leading Copy Maker Parts

pm-bg-46-0

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.

trims
glazings

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

hud

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

pm-bg-47-0

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

heat absorbing interlayer

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

pm-bg-49-0
Scroll to Top