OEM, ODM boat windshields｜CNC routing, machining, and polycarbonate thermoforming, silk screen printing
Boat window, also known as the windscreen or windshield, is a protective barrier designed to shield boats, yachts, and other marine vessels from wind, water spray, and debris. These marine windows serve both functional and safety purposes, enhancing the overall boating experience.
Traditionally, most boat windows and yacht windows are made of glass, acrylic boat windows, plexiglass for boat windows, or polycarbonate boat windows (often branded as Lexan). Polycarbonate, is lightweight and impact-resistant, making it a popular choice for custom boat windows.
However, with modern designs, boats are becoming larger and faster. As designers began factoring in wind pressure, speed, and hull weight, there has been a growing demand for tailor-made marine windows using polycarbonate. Polycarbonate boat windows are about 250 times stronger than glass and offer exceptional UV blocking, making them the preferred solution for boat plastic windows in today’s high-performance vessels.
We offer tinted polycarbonate windshields in dark grey, light grey and bronze colors.
It increases scratch resistant of marine polycarbonate windshields from HB to 2H.
UV-resistant and high-strength flame resistant sheet in both clear and tinted forms.
Typically located in marine:
Picture comes from Acrylico.com
Industry Expertise
Decades of industry expertise, delivering high-quality parts with precision and reliability.
Flexible Customization
Customized solutions, accommodate design, material preferences, and production requirements with ease.
Collaborative Approach
Collaborative approach, working closely with our clients to understand their specific requirements and goals.
Glass vs Acrylic vs Polycarbonate: What is the different By Laxan
Excelite offers comprehensive solutions for boat window shields and marine components, tailored to meet specific requirements, quality standards, fabrication and production volumes.
Polishing is an great solution to help the polycarbonate windshields a smooth finish after the fabrication. Polishing also helps to smoothen edges.
Drilling polycarbonate is easy, but it requires careful handing to avoid scratches.
While drill the polycarbonate windscreens, we should keep the film masking on the windshields. Position the drill bit at one of the marked points. Apply gentle, consistent pressure to start drilling. Allow the drill bit to cut through the polycarbonate gradually. Do not force the drill, as this can cause the material to crack.
Thermoforming methods include drape forming, heat forming, and vacuum forming, vacuum and drape forming being the most efficient and flexible boat windows.
Glass is normally used in flat boat windshield, but if customers want to do a curved boat windshield, even hyperbolic windshield. Polycarbonate can achieve your idea.
Polycarbonate is more flexible than Glass, PMMA. This is important for you to do a sharp. We can easily bend or mold the polycarbonate sheet.
Polycarbonate sheet can be bent to achieve specific shapes. PC is a thermoplastic material known for its flexibility and formability when heated.
The bending process involves applying heat to the polycarbonate sheet to soften it, allowing it to be shaped or bent into the desired form.
Bending polycarbonate windshields can be advantageous for custom designs or applications where specific shapes are required to fit the contours of a boat or other vehicle.
Excelite provides a complete solution for polycarbonate windshields, including connection frames as well. Frame is usually made of stainless steel. Our services encompass everything from providing high-quality products to offering frame accessories. With expertise in CNC cutting and thermoforming for curved designs, we deliver a complete system that meets all your needs.
Begin by creating a detailed design or blueprint of the windshield, taking into account the specific dimensions and contours required for the application.
To make sure the polycarbonate windshield fits perfectly, the customer brought their speed boat to our factory. We measured everything on-site and created a precise template based on the boat’s curves and contours. This template became our blueprint for making the windshield accurately.
First, clean the boat window on the marine. Clean the dust oil and debris from around rough opening. Inspect the windshield for any defects or damage before installation.
Then carefully position the windshield in the desired location on the boat. Use a measuring tape to ensure proper alignment and symmetry. Check for clearance with other boat components and for proper visibility.
Once satisfied with the positioning, mark the mounting points on the boat’s surface using a pencil or marker.
Next, use a drill to create holes for the polycarbonate windshield. Place the windshield over the drilled holes.
Finally, apply a marine-grade sealant or adhesive around the edges of the windshield where it contacts the boat. Wipe away any excess sealant or adhesive using a clean cloth.
While the windshield is constant exposed to sunshine, it will cause the windshield frame to break down, discoloration, brittleness and weaken the structure. Not only the frame, gasket, but also the windshield panels.
The customers can custom their aluminum frame boat windshield according to their marine design.
Sometimes they just want to change some windshield frame components or refurbish it. We can provide the polycarbonate windshield soon.
The condensation could happen in or out of your boat’s windshield. It actually depends on the temperature, if it’s a cold day and your marine’s cabin is hot, then the moisture will build up inside. Whereas, if it’s a hot day and your boat’s cabin is cold, the moisture will form outside of your windshield.
A fog-resistant coating is applied to the polycarbonate windshield during the manufacturing process, providing exceptional resistance to fogging. This specialized coating enhances visibility by preventing the buildup of condensation on the surface, ensuring clear and unobstructed views even in challenging weather conditions.
In fact, we also find there is not easily to make small quantity coating sheet- Polycarbonate Anti-fog Film.
Though polycarbonate is high impact resistant than glass, we have to see the polycarbonate surface is scratch more easily performance when compare to glass unless it’s hard coated.
So, when we clean the polycarbonate windshield, first, we need to remove abrasive dirt on the surface without touching the windshield too much. If you use paper towels to clean the polycarbonate windshield. We have some tips to help you.
Here’s the do’s and don’ts of maintaining and cleaning a polycarbonate windshield.
Polycarbonate has some limits. But we can do some coating treatments to enhance the performance and durability of the polycarbonate windshield.
Polycarbonate boat windshields are susceptible to scratches and abrasions. An anti-scratch coating forms a protective coating. It can significantly reduce the scratches.
An anti-foggy coating minimizes the impact of foggy, rainy, moist conditions on the boat windshield. This treatment ensures clear visibility and safety.
UV resistant coatings are designed to protect polycarbonate marine windshields from the harmful effects or direct UV rays. It helps prevent yellowing.
Flame retardant polycarbonate sheets enhance the fire resistance and safety characteristics of the material. This treatment guarantees the windshield’s durability and overall performance.
Though polycarbonate is high impact resistant than glass, we have to see the polycarbonate surface is scratch more easily performance when compare to glass unless it’s hard coated. So, when we clean the polycarbonate windshield, first, we need to remove abrasive dirt on the surface without touching the windshield too much. If you use paper towels to clean the polycarbonate windshield. We have some tips to help you. Here’s the do’s and don’ts of maintaining and cleaning a polycarbonate windshield.
Polycarbonate is more impact resistant to Acrylic. In terms of high impact, polycarbonate is quite stronger than glass, almost 250 times more durable than glass.
Polycarbonate is flexible and allow to do secondary processing. Polycarbonate can be bent or molded, allowing for more complex shapes.
Polycarbonate can withstand heat, enabling special curved processing.
Polycarbonate is chemically resistant material. Some certain substances don’t effect it like gasoline, acids.
Polycarbonate is light weight. Glass is more prone to shattering upon impact compared to polycarbonate. Glass is also heavier than acrylic, polycarbonate.
Glass provides the best optical clarity among the three materials. Glass is also less scratches compared to polycarbonate.
| Properties | Glass | Acrylic | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.8g/m3 | 1.18-1.19g/cm3 | 1.2g/cm3 |
| Light transmission | 80-84% | 92-95% | 85-90% |
| Use temperature | -5 - 70℃ | -60 - 65℃ | -120 - 120℃ |
| Soften point | 600℃ | 100-102℃ | 145℃ |
| Thermoforming temperature | 600-730℃ | 180-250℃ | 180-280℃ |
| Bending strength | - | 55-70Mpa | 90-100Mpa |
Though polycarbonate is solid and high-impact resistant. It’s much lighter than glass. It doesn’t absorb UV rays, making it excellent choice for boat windows where sunshine exposure.
But there are some potential disadvantages to consider:
Polycarbonate is more prone to scratching compared to glass. In marine environments where windshields can come into contact with abrasive materials, such as saltwater or sand, scratches may occur over time.
Some chemicals, such as certain cleaners or solvents, like PVC can cause damage to polycarbonate.
Although polycarbonate provides good clarity, it may not match the optical quality of glass. In some special applications, where superior optical clarity is essential, such as high-end boats or vessels, glass might be preferred.
While not as expensive as glass, polycarbonate can be pricier than acrylic.
The average thickness for the boat windshield is 6mm, but some special application that people use 20mm thickness for the boat body. It depends on the practical application.
Looking to transform your vision into a tangible product?
At Excelite Plastics, every project is unique.
Block 1 RuiSu Building, 2 Kecheng Rd, Suzhou, China 215122
Australia Branch: 6 Stephen Road, Dandenong South 3175
