Glass in Vehicles

Today's vehicle designers expect the glazing to perform as more than merely a window. They want added functionality.

The growing complexity of glazings has increased the need for simulation of the shaping processes.

NSG Group is recognised as a leader in the development and use of computer simulation for advanced glazing technology, providing customers with the best possible glazing solutions with which to achieve their styling intent.

The Group's computer modelling techniques predict the optical properties of a particular shape of windscreen, how closely any of the bending processes will achieve the required shape and tolerances, and how difficult manufacturing challenges may be overcome. This can help shorten product development cycles and reduce both tooling and manufacturing costs. Pilkington Automotive simulation techniques have been empirically tested and shown to give excellent correlation with what happens in practice.

Pilkington Automotive has extensive experience in design integration, where Pilkington engineers work side by side with customers to achieve the optimum design for function and manufacture.

Involvement of NSG Group personnel at the very earliest stage in the design of the vehicle helps the customer identify potential manufacturing or optical problems, thereby avoiding expensive redesign at a later stage. It also ensures that glasses meet legislative requirements for optics and enables NSG Group to suggest styling modifications leading to more cost-effective products and other glazing systems (e.g. encapsulation and extrusion) design.

Data is transferred between NSG Group and its customers electronically, avoiding the need for drawings and physical fixtures in the design of new glazings.