Product technology : Automotive components - Assignment Example

However, most of us do not understand the manufacturing processes and the materials used in the manufacture of some parts of an automobile. Eronen (2012, p.2) reveals that a typical automobile involves an assembling of about 15,000 parts ranging from a thin electrical wire to steel of aluminum wheels. The assembling of these components is what makes the cars we see on the roads. Automobile windshield is one of the most important components of an automobile. Windshields are important in automobiles because they help prevent strong wind from blowing out occupants in a car.

In addition, windshields help keep occupants from being blown out of the vehicle in the event of a frontal impact, noted Neiger (2013). Further, windshields are an important component of an automotive since it prevents rainwater from entering the car, among other functions. In order for the windshields to be effective, designers normally ensure that it is property fitted onto the automobile body. Automotive windshields are made of glass material. However, the glass used in automobiles is not the same as those used in homes.

Home windows, unlike automobile windows are made of standard type of glass that breaks easily when subjected to little stress. Designers of home glasses normally use standard glass since home windows are never subjected to too much strain, as it does automobile windows. Automotive windshields use special type of glasses since they usually encounter rocks, potholes, and fender benders throughout its lifetime, AIS Glass Solutions (2008) revealed. Therefore, modern windshields are made of a special type of glass known as laminated glass.

Leventon (1992, p.159) attributes the choice of this glass to the fact that it is strong, rigid, and capable of withstanding high tension and stress. Laminated Glass Manufacturing Process As aforementioned, laminated glass is used for, making the windshield that helps protect occupants of automobile. In making laminated glass, a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is sandwiched between two pieces of glass (Vartabedian 2007, p. 6). The PVB and glass subjected to high pressure and heated at high temperatures.

This process ensures that a strong bonding is achieved between glass and PVB. Engineers reveal that the mechanical bonding of PVB and glass takes place through the adhesiveness of PVB, whereas a chemical bond is achieved through hydrogen bonding of the PVB to the glass, according to Neiger (2013). The PVB layer is normally inserted in the glass to increase its strength and resistance to breakage upon impact. In this regard, the PBV enables the glass to be able to absorb energy when hit by an object and increases the glass resistance to penetration from flying objects.

Neiger (2013) reveals that the deflection occurs up to 95% of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Like the standard glass used in home windows, laminated glass also break and are punctured upon heavy impact. However, laminated glass will stay intact due to its chemical bond with the PVB layer. This process results in the production of a high quality laminated glass suitable for use in the windshield. This is attributed to the fact that the final product is very strong, rigid, and appealing when fitted on a car.

After the completion of the manufacture of laminated glass, the windshield is now taken to the assembling