Automotive Glass Innovation and Development and the Transformation of Glass Double-Edging Machines

I. Introduction

As an important part of automobiles, the quality and performance of automotive glass directly affect the safety, comfort, and aesthetics of automobiles. With the continuous development and technological innovation of the automotive industry, the automotive glass industry is also constantly changing and progressing. At the same time, as a key equipment for automotive glass processing, glass double-edging machines also need to continuously adapt to market demands and make changes and innovations in many aspects. This article will deeply discuss the new trends, new technologies, and future development trends of the automotive glass industry, and analyze the changes that glass double-edging machines need to make in response to the automotive glass market.

 

II. New Trends in the Automotive Glass Industry

(1) Fuyao Glass stabilizes market sentiment with performance after its U.S. factory is searched

On July 26, 2024, U.S. law enforcement officers conducted a seven-hour search of Fuyao Glass's factory in Ohio. This incident led to the suspension of some production activities and triggered a chain reaction in the capital market. Fuyao Glass's market value fell by 6% within the next trading day. However, Fuyao Glass quickly responded and clarified that the investigation was not aimed at itself but at a third-party labor service company. The factory resumed normal production on the same day, and production and business activities were not affected.

On July 29, Fuyao Glass released its semi-annual results express for 2024. Its operating income reached 18.34 billion yuan, and its net profit reached 3.499 billion yuan, with year-on-year growth rates of more than 20%. This outstanding performance data stabilized market sentiment. After ten years of operation, Fuyao Glass's Ohio factory has become the world's largest single automotive glass factory, occupying 30% of the U.S. market share and creating nearly 3,000 jobs locally.

 

(2) Anhui Wanwei Group's annual output of 3 million sets of automotive glass project starts

On the morning of August 2, 2024, the commencement mobilization meeting for the Chaohu New Material Industry and Infrastructure Supporting (Phase I) project and Anhui Wanwei Group's annual output of 3 million sets of automotive glass project was held at the project site of Anhui Wanwei Group. The total investment of this project is 1.146 billion yuan. After the project reaches production capacity, it is expected to add an annual sales revenue of 1.63 billion yuan and a profit of 240 million yuan, and create more than 600 new jobs. This project highly conforms to Anhui's leading industry, the construction plan for building a trillion-level world automotive industry cluster, and Hefei's "chip-screen-auto-integration" industrial development strategy, and will provide a solid guarantee for the development and security of forward-looking and strategic emerging industries such as China's automotive glass field.

 

(3) Patents related to industry technological innovation continue to emerge

Fuyao Group (Shanghai) Automotive Glass Co., Ltd. obtained the patent for "glass counting equipment and counting method", with the authorization announcement number cn108806017b, and the application date is August 2018. This patent will help improve the counting efficiency and accuracy in the automotive glass production process and is of great significance to the enterprise's production management and quality control.

Xinyi Automotive Glass (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. applied for the patent for "sliding window and automobile", with the publication number cn118769839a, and the application date is July 2024. The sliding window design of this patent enables the sizes of the first sliding glass and the second sliding glass to be greatly increased, and the sliding area is greatly increased, providing new possibilities for the design and use of automobile windows.

Shanghai Yaopi Kangqiao Automotive Glass Co., Ltd. obtained the patent for "a device for assisting the forming of automotive front windshield glass", with the authorization announcement number cn221588351u, and the application date is December 2023. This device uses fan-shaped rollers to make the glass form an appropriate forming arch height in a short time, reducing the difficulty of mold forming. At the same time, inclined rollers are used to reduce the operation difficulty during pressing and improve the product fit and yield.

 

III. New Technologies in the Automotive Glass Industry

(1) Multiple patent innovations of Fuyao Glass

In August 2024, Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. applied for the patent for "sun visor assembly, vehicle window glass assembly and vehicle". The base of this sun visor assembly is used for installation on vehicle window glass. The rotating part is penetrated through the installation part and can rotate. The sun visor is fixed on the rotating part. The rotating part and the installation part play a buffering role, which can reduce the risk of window glass裂片 and improve the reliability of the sun visor assembly and the vehicle.

In June 2024, Fuyao Glass applied for the patent for "a vehicle window glass and vehicle". The vehicle window glass includes laminated glass and an antireflection layer. The laminated glass is provided with a heating area and an information acquisition area. The heating wire in the heating area can not only have a good defrosting and defogging effect but also will not block the signal of the lidar greatly.

In April 2024, Fuyao Glass applied for the patent for "head-up display vehicle window and vehicle". The vehicle window glass includes a glass layer and a transparent nanomembrane. It has a high reflectivity to p-polarized light, a visible light transmittance of greater than or equal to 70%, and a total solar transmittance of less than or equal to 50%, and has good heat insulation effect.

 

(2) Patent achievements of other companies

On October 25, 2024, Shayang Hongrun Building Materials Co., Ltd. obtained the patent for "a visual online detection device for wide-format automotive glass". This device can conduct online detection of wide-format automotive glass and help improve the production quality and detection efficiency of automotive glass.

On October 16, 2024, Xinyi Automotive Glass (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. applied for the patent for "sliding window and automobile". The installation area of this sliding window is relatively large, which is convenient for installing large-sized glass, greatly increasing the sizes of the first sliding glass and the second sliding glass and also greatly increasing the sliding area.

In May 2024, Henan Huanyu Glass Technology Co., Ltd. applied for the patent for "an automated trackless transfer system for automotive glass". This system includes a production line group, an AGV trackless transfer mechanism, a merging mechanism and a washing and drying line, which can reduce the washing and drying cost and labor cost. Moreover, the AGV trackless transfer mechanism does not interfere with the cross-transfer of other transfer equipment.

 

(3) Technological breakthroughs of Yamaturn

In March 2024, Changzhou Yamaturn Co., Ltd. applied for the patent for "a solar automotive laminated glass and its preparation method". This automotive laminated glass includes inner curved glass, a film layer, solar cells, outer glass, etc. Its preparation process not only ensures that the solar cells are not easily displaced but also protects the deformation of the solar cells during the bending process, improving the production yield and improving the aesthetics of the finished product.

 

(4) Technological achievements of Shanghai Yaopi Kangqiao Automotive Glass

In December 2023, Shanghai Yaopi Kangqiao Automotive Glass Co., Ltd. obtained the patent for "a device for assisting the forming of automotive front windshield glass". This device uses fan-shaped rollers to make the glass form an appropriate forming arch height in a short time, reducing the difficulty of mold forming. At the same time, inclined rollers are used to reduce the operation difficulty during pressing and improve the product fit and yield.

 

IV. Future Development Trends of the Automotive Glass Industry

(1) Product characteristics

1. Lightweight

As the automotive industry's requirements for energy conservation and emission reduction continue to increase, lightweight has become an important direction for the development of automotive parts. The lightweight of automotive glass can be achieved by reducing glass thickness and adopting new materials. Generally speaking, for every 1mm reduction in the thickness of automotive glass, the vehicle weight can be reduced by about 10kg, and the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers will be reduced by about 0.06 liters. This not only helps reduce the energy consumption of the vehicle but also improves the vehicle's cruising range, which is particularly important for new energy vehicles.

 

2. Multifunctionalization

(1) Intelligent dimming: Dimmable glass technology will be further developed and applied. This kind of glass can automatically adjust the light transmittance according to the external light intensity, temperature or in-vehicle instructions. It can not only reduce glare under strong light, improve driving safety and comfort, but also switch to an opaque state when privacy is needed to provide privacy protection for vehicle occupants.

(2) Heating, defrosting and defogging: In cold weather or humid environments, automotive glass is prone to fogging or frosting, affecting visibility. Automotive glass with heating function can quickly and effectively remove fog and frost layers and keep the glass clear. For example, in winter or rainy days, heated glass can ensure that the driver's vision is not affected and improve driving safety.

(3) Sound insulation and noise reduction: As consumers' requirements for in-car comfort continue to increase, the demand for sound-insulating glass will also increase. By adopting special glass structures or adding sound-insulating materials, automotive glass can effectively reduce in-car noise and provide a quieter driving environment for drivers and passengers.

(4) Hydrophobic function: The surface of hydrophobic glass is specially treated to increase the contact angle of water droplets on the glass, making it difficult for water droplets to adhere to the glass surface. Thus, when driving in rainy days, it can reduce the impact of rain on visibility and improve driving safety. Even without using a windshield wiper, a good view can be maintained.

(5) Integration: Automotive glass will not only be an independent part but will gradually be integrated with other systems of the vehicle. For example, integrating glass with the vehicle's electronic systems, sensors, etc. to achieve more functions. For example, automotive glass integrated with antenna function can receive signals and provide support for vehicle-mounted communication, navigation and other systems; glass integrated with cameras can be used in assisted driving or autonomous driving systems to monitor the vehicle's surrounding environment in real time.

 

3. Technological innovation

(1) Material innovation: Research and development of new glass materials is one of the future development trends. In addition to traditional float glass, high-performance composite materials, nanomaterials, etc. will be applied in the production of automotive glass to improve the strength, toughness, wear resistance and other properties of glass. For example, glass surfaces manufactured using nanotechnology have better self-cleaning functions and can reduce the adhesion of dust and stains.

(2) Process innovation: In terms of production processes, advanced technologies and equipment will be continuously introduced to improve production efficiency and product quality. For example, using 3D printing technology can manufacture automotive glass parts with complex shapes and high precision; vacuum coating technology can coat various functional films on the glass surface, such as heat insulation films, anti-ultraviolet films, etc.

(3) Intelligent production: With the advancement of Industry 4.0, intelligent manufacturing will be widely applied in the automotive glass industry. By introducing automated production lines, robots, big data and other technologies, intelligent management and control of the production process can be realized, improving production efficiency, reducing costs, and at the same time improving the consistency and reliability of products.

 

4. Design and appearance

(1) Large size and panoramic view: To meet consumers' demands for in-car space and vision, the size of automotive glass will continue to increase, and designs such as panoramic sunroofs and panoramic windshields will become more and more common. Large-sized glass can not only increase the lighting and vision inside the car but also enhance the aesthetic appearance of the car, making the car more fashionable and technological.

(2) Personalization and customization: Consumers' personalized demands for cars are continuously increasing, and the design of automotive glass will also become more diverse and personalized. Automobile manufacturers and glass suppliers will provide customized glass products according to consumers' needs, including different colors, shapes, patterns, etc., to meet consumers' personalized needs.

 

5. Market pattern

(1) Further increase in industry concentration: The automotive glass industry is a capital-intensive and technology-intensive industry with high entry barriers. At present, the global automotive glass market has formed an oligopolistic pattern, and industry concentration may further increase in the future. Large glass manufacturers will consolidate their market positions by continuously expanding production scale, improving technological level, and strengthening R & D investment. Small enterprises may face the risk of being merged or eliminated.

(2) Driven by the new energy vehicle market: With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, the demand for automotive glass will also continue to increase. Due to its special structure and performance requirements, new energy vehicles put forward higher requirements for the lightweight, heat insulation, and sealing of automotive glass, which will bring new development opportunities for the automotive glass industry. At the same time, the higher degree of intelligence of new energy vehicles will also promote the intelligent development of automotive glass.

(3) Huge potential in the aftermarket: With the continuous increase in car ownership, the aftermarket demand for automotive glass will also continue to grow. The replacement and repair of automotive glass will become an important part of the automotive glass industry. In addition, consumers' continuous improvement in the quality and performance requirements of automotive glass will also promote the aftermarket to develop in a high-end and professional direction.

 

V. Transformation of Glass Double-Edging Machines

In such an industry background, in order to respond to the market situation of automotive glass, glass double-edging machines need to make changes and innovations in many aspects.

 

(1) In terms of processing accuracy

Improve the existing accuracy standards to meet the high-precision requirements of high-end models and smart cars for glass edge precision. Control the size error within a smaller range and achieve micro-precision processing to ensure that the glass edges are smooth and burr-free, providing better protection for the installation and use of automotive glass.

 

(2) In terms of processing efficiency

Optimize the processing technology to reduce processing time and increase the processing output per unit time. Through reasonable adjustment of the rotation speed and feed speed of the grinding wheels and the adoption of advanced automatic control systems, realize a continuous and stable processing process, improving production efficiency and stability.

 

(3) In terms of function integration

Combine with intelligent systems to realize real-time monitoring and adjustment of processing parameters and adapt to the processing needs of different types and specifications of automotive glass. For example, it can automatically adjust the position and pressure of the grinding wheels according to the thickness and shape of the glass to achieve the best processing effect. At the same time, support multi-functional glass processing to meet the edge processing requirements of different functional automotive glass, such as dimmable glass and heated glass.

 

(4) In terms of design innovation

Have the ability to process complex-shaped automotive glass to meet the innovative needs of automotive design. For example, for curved and irregular-shaped automotive glass, it can accurately perform edge grinding processing to ensure the aesthetics and installation accuracy of the glass. At the same time, customized processing designs can be carried out according to customers' personalized needs to meet consumers' personalized needs for automotive glass.

 

(5) In terms of environmental protection

Reduce energy consumption by adopting energy-saving motors and optimizing energy management systems. Reduce the generation of dust and noise during the processing process. Adopt environmentally friendly coolants and grinding wheels to reduce environmental pollution and resource waste.

 

VI. Conclusion

The automotive glass industry is constantly developing under the promotion of technological innovation and market demand. The incident of Fuyao Glass's U.S. factory, the start of Anhui Wanwei Group's new project, and the continuous emergence of industry technological innovation patents all show the vitality and potential of the automotive glass industry. In the future, automotive glass will develop in the directions of lightweight, multifunctionalization, technological innovation, personalized design and appearance, and centralized market pattern.

In this process, glass double-edging machines play a crucial role. In order to adapt to the changes in the automotive glass market, glass double-edging machines need to undergo comprehensive changes in processing accuracy, efficiency, function integration, design innovation, and environmental protection. Only in this way can they meet the development needs of the automotive glass industry and provide strong support for the production of automotive glass.

We look forward to the automotive glass industry achieving more brilliant achievements in the future. At the same time, we also hope that glass double-edging machines can continuously innovate and develop and contribute to the progress of the automotive glass industry. With the continuous progress of technology and the continuous changes in the market, both the automotive glass industry and glass double-edging machines will face new challenges and opportunities. We believe that through continuous innovation and efforts, the automotive glass industry and glass double-edging machines will definitely achieve greater success in the future development.