Who makes dual-curvature laminated glass for custom aerodynamic windshields?
Most windshields are single curvature.
For ultimate aerodynamics you'll need dual curvature glass that's glass curved on both axis so the windshield will curve horizontally to smoothly blend with the roof (and maybe even concave on the lower edge to blend with the hood line). Who makes such glass? Laminated glass for safety of course. |
In Finland Pilkington, makes them to selected customers ;).
http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/phot...Cab_photo.aspx Here is one sample of some tricky glass they made. Oneoff pieces are very expensive to manufacture and one set 10pcs of glasses will cost about 2000€ per piece so 20000€. "dual curvature" is very difficult to control so they have to make lot of test pieces before they get the shape right without any distortion (if you need E-approvals for the glasses etc). Basicly all small windshield manufacturers make them. Price will varie a lot. |
Double curvature glass is difficult and expensive to make.
I don't know why we're still making windshields out of laminated glass. Makrolon ® windshields should do the trick.(It's now used on lights.) |
Front windshields are very tricky, liability-wise. But there is a custom side-glass fabricator nearby.
Bent Glass Curved Glass Architectural Manufacturer Supplier or how about a curved windshield ~ boat supplier. Ocean Dynamics Windows and Windshields for boats, sailboats and ships. |
concept car builder
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Another company which markets full-race GTP look-alike cars told me that the tooling for their windshield cost them $29,000.To purchase one of their windshields would cost $3,000. Piontek,who offered the kit car Alan Cocconi used for his EV screamer 'T zero' used a fabulous piece of glass,as GM used in the EV-1. Today you might be looking at a Dodge Viper windshield.They're only about $600 and are pretty tasty,aerodynamically speaking. |
A GOOD windshield shop can cut windshields down to size.
you can't cut tempered glass (like side windows and back windows) though. and temperered glass is a VERY poor idea for a windshield. |
By dual curvature I mean that when seen from its side the windshield line form a curve from the base at the cowl all the way up to the car top.
Thus effectively a 3-d bubble. Something like this http://www.bruceair.com/extra300l/im...ation-Mtns.JPG Only wider to allow side by side seating. As compared to this windshields http://onlyfreewallpaper.com/walls/l...ide-normal.jpg That while highly inclined, it forms a straight line from cowl to top. |
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Wasn't there another thread on here about that? I remember someone linking a classic car... |
Cars such as the Viper have curved windshields, but they are very pricey.
http://img2.netcarshow.com/Dodge-Vip...llpaper_06.jpg As far as for use in a car ( a complete enclosure ), there is the issue of rollover protection, since there is only the glass around you, and also the inside of the car becomes a huge oven in summertime. Not to mention that there is no way to easily roll down a window on the side of the car. Aerohead - i see you beat me to it ! |
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