Windshield engraving: what's their point?

All windshield markings include a variety of symbols, logos, pictograms and alphanumeric codes. This marking confirms, in addition, to give more information that the windshield meets the requirements of certification, as required by the European Union: Regulation No. 43 Directive 92/22 / EEC, relevant as 2001/92 / CE.

Compliance with legal regulations presupposes the following safety aspects:

• In case of breakdown, minimizes possible damage to the driver and passengers.
• The windshield resists the forces that it undergoes during movement (pressure, twisting, etc.).
• The windshield has a transparency that is optimal so as not to interfere with visibility.
• In the event of a rollover, the windshield has a structural function as it helps to avoid deformation of the ceiling.
• Before a frontal impact, the windshield plays an important role, which is to withstand the impact of an airbag.
• The windshield must withstand the possible impact of external factors (weather conditions, shock, noise, etc.).

The meaning of windshield silkscreen

The silk-screened windscreen is indelible and visible from the outside of the vehicle. May vary by brand, but there are certain fields, such as certification, that are required for a windshield to meet the certification requirements. However, these codes may vary depending on the country and destination of the vehicle.

Below, an example is shown, silkscreened windshield, Mercedes-Benz and described above, which corresponds to each part:

For example, silkscreen glass, including on the windshield of Mercedes-Benz

1. Car brand, ensuring that the windshield is brand-certified.
2. glass type. In this case, the windshield is ordinary laminated glass.
3. On the left side of the silkscreen on the windshield, there is a code inside a circle with a diameter of 8 mm, which indicates the country in which the certificate was issued (E1-Germany, E2-France, E3-Italy, E4-Netherlands, E5-Sweden, E6-Belgium , E7-Hungary, E8-Czech Republic, E9-Spain, E10-Yugoslavia, etc.).
4. EU approval code for glass type. In this case, it complies with the requirements of Rule 43 with permission number 011051.
5. Production code in accordance with US regulations.
6. Glass transparency level.
7. The CCC symbol indicates that the windshield is certified for the Chinese market. After that, the homologation code for the Chinese market is located.
8. The windshield manufacturing company, in this example, Saint Global Securit, is one of the largest glass manufacturers for the automotive industry.
9. A symbol that indicates that the windshield is certified according to the security system from South Korea.
10. Certification, accredited laboratory Inmetro for the Brazilian market.
11. Internal identification of the glass manufacturer related to product dating (no universal coding established).

After a month and a year, some manufacturers include day or week production.

Types of windshields on the market

Technological developments that take place in all areas of the automotive industry have not left windshield production technologies aside. Day by day, market needs force the development of new functions in cars, and motivate the emergence of new glass models with more and more functions.

Thus, the variety of types that windshield specifications may include is very varied. Some glasses also have special pictograms that indicate, for example: the type of acoustic insulation, if it is glass with adjustable tonality, the presence of a built-in antenna, whether it includes thermal element circuits or, conversely, whether it is glass with micro-thread technology, whether Anti-glare or water-repellent, are there any anti-theft systems, etc.

Basically, in the last ten years, new driver assistance systems have been developed (during braking, steering, lane keeping, cruise control, smart, etc.), which required the development of new types of glasses. These auxiliary systems require the inclusion of cameras, sensors and antennas on satellites.

The latest assistance system is already present in most new generation models. This is a HUD (Head-Up Display). In the case of a HUD that projects information directly onto the windshield, it requires the installation of a special windshield in the car, which must include a polarizer in order to “capture” the projection light and get it displayed with high image clarity and without response.

Conclusion

The windshield and its construction plays an important role in the safety that the car gives its passengers. Therefore, it is very important that, if necessary, the replacement of the windshield, the installation of certified products by brand of car.

The specialists of the glass workshop, thanks to the frame number or VIN, can determine if the windshield in each particular case is certified by the brand.

Although there may be “compatible” options on the windshield market, they may have disadvantages in terms of strength and visibility, include unnecessary features, or may not include all the necessary features that the original windshield contains. Therefore, it is advisable, where possible (and especially in the latest generation of cars equipped with the latest driver assistance systems technology), to install windshields only from original models and manufacturers. To make sure that the windshield does not fit, you need to check the information on the windshield silkscreen.

Questions and answers:

What is silk screen printing on the windshield for? This is a special color of glass around the perimeter with UV protection. Silk-screen printing protects the glass sealant from UV rays, preventing it from deteriorating.

How do I remove silk-screening from my windshield? Many companies or visual tuning enthusiasts use silk-screen printing with inscriptions. Chemicals are used to remove it. It is not recommended to perform such a procedure on your own.

How to silk-screen glass? The base (fabric) is impregnated with a special polymer compound. Dry it in a dark place. The desired pattern (paper stencil) is applied to the fabric and processed by the rays of a UV lamp. The dried polymer is placed on glass and heated.