Short answer
Curved laminated glass is made by heat-forming flat glass over a mould, assembling the formed plies with interlayers, and bonding them permanently under heat and pressure in an autoclave. Geometry and optical quality are checked throughout the process.
1. Cutting and edge work
Glass is cut to size and template and the edges are processed. Edge quality matters for both mounting and strength.
2. Bending
Glass is heated until it softens enough to take the shape of the mould. In multi-layer builds all plies are formed to the same geometry so that they fit together exactly.
3. Lamination
Polymer interlayers are placed between the formed plies; ballistic builds add a polycarbonate inner layer where required. Assembly takes place in a clean environment, as dust and air bubbles cause optical defects.
4. Autoclave
The laminated pack is processed under heat and pressure in an autoclave. Air is removed and the interlayer bonds fully to the glass; strength and clarity become permanent at this stage.
5. Inspection
Finished glass is checked for dimensions, fit and optical quality. For windscreens, optical distortion checks are essential for the driver's view.
Applications
- Armoured vehicle windscreens and side windows
- Yacht and ship bridge windows
- Architectural façades
This article describes the general industry process; the build and inspection criteria for a specific project are defined within that project.