Abstract: A plastic assembly having a permanent mark therein at a subsurface location and formed after substantial manufacture of the panel assembly. The plastic panel includes a substrate and a coating over the substrate, the coating including a surface that defines an exterior surface of the panel assembly. A mark is located beneath the exterior surface of the panel assembly. In making the panel assembly, a plastic substrate is provided and a protective coating is applied to the substrate. After the step of applying the protective coating, a subsurface portion of panel assembly is exposed to a laser light. The laser light opacifies a subsurface portion of the panel assembly, thereby rendering the mark within the panel assembly.

Abstract: A plastic assembly having a permanent mark therein at a subsurface location and formed after substantial manufacture of the panel assembly. The plastic panel includes a substrate and a coating over the substrate, the coating including a surface that defines an exterior surface of the panel assembly. A mark is located beneath the exterior surface of the panel assembly. In making the panel assembly, a plastic substrate is provided and a protective coating is applied to the substrate. After the step of applying the protective coating, a subsurface portion of panel assembly is exposed to a laser light. The laser light opacifies a subsurface portion of the panel assembly, thereby rendering the mark within the panel assembly.

Abstract: A plastic panel assembly having a permanent mark therein at a subsurface location and formed after substantial manufacture of the panel assembly. The plastic panel includes a substrate and a coating over the substrate, the coating including a surface that defines an exterior surface of the panel assembly. A mark is located beneath the exterior surface of the panel assembly. In making the panel assembly, a plastic substrate is provided and a protective coating is applied to the substrate. After the step of applying the protective coating, a subsurface portion of panel assembly is exposed to a laser light. The laser light opacifies a subsurface portion of the panel assembly, thereby rendering the mark within the panel assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent plastic automotive panel comprised of a plastic substrate, a non-black ink overlying a portion of the plastic substrate forming a printed substrate and a protective coating system overlying the ink.

Abstract: A plastic panel assembly having a permanent mark therein at a subsurface location and formed after substantial manufacture of the panel assembly. The plastic panel includes a substrate and a coating over the substrate, the coating including a surface that defines an exterior surface of the panel assembly. A mark is located beneath the exterior surface of the panel assembly. In making the panel assembly, a plastic substrate is provided and a protective coating is applied to the substrate. After the step of applying the protective coating, a subsurface portion of panel assembly is exposed to a laser light. The laser light opacifies a subsurface portion of the panel assembly, thereby rendering the mark within the panel assembly.

Abstract: A plastic window assembly includes a substantially transparent plastic panel and an opaque plastic frame adhered to the perimeter of the panel, which bounds and defines an effective viewing area of the panel. A transition step of the frame extends upward from the surface of the panel to a raised surface of the frame. Provided on the surface in the effective viewing area of the panel is an image. In order to print the image such that the outer edges of the image extend to an interfacial area defined by the juncture of the transition step and the second surface of the panel, a MIT printing process and specialized membrane construction is used.

Abstract: A plastic panel system including a transparent plastic panel and an electrically conductive grid. The panel includes a substrate and the grid is provided on the panel so as to overlie the substrate. Including with the grid is at least one conductive mounting location. An electrical connector, which includes a plastic portion and an electrically conductive portion, is secured to the panel by ultrasonically welding the plastic portion to the panel. As a result of the retention of the connector with the panel, the conductive portion of the panel is in electrical contact with the mounting location of the conductive grid. The electrical system of an automotive vehicle can be attached to the connector of the panel system.

Abstract: A plastic glazing for use in an automobile. The glazing includes a polycarbonate substrate, a conductive layer located adjacent to the polycarbonate substrate, and a glazing layer located adjacent to the conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises carbon nanotubes, and the glazing layer is made of a material that is different from polycarbonate. The glazing layer includes at least one of an abrasion resistant layer and a weathering layer.

Abstract: An edge finishing system for items such as polycarbonate panels. The system includes a multi-purpose edge-finishing tool which trims and smoothes the edges of a workpiece. The tool includes a contour cutter portion having a concave toroidal surface and a straight cutter portion having a cylindrical shape. A flute extends generally along with the tool's axis and defines a straight cutting edge and contour cutting edge. The system may include a fixture with vacuum cups nested within a platform so as to secure a contoured workpiece by static friction, permitting edges of the workpiece to be both trimmed and smoothly finished using a multi-purpose edge finishing tool, without marring or disfiguring the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus for printing images onto a three dimensional surface of a substrate. The apparatus includes a screen formed of a flexible mesh material and having porous image portions that allows passage of a printing medium through it. A shaping assembly including a plurality of shapers that are movable between retracted and extended positions. In their extended positions, the shapers are engaged with the screen assembly and generally cause screen to generally conform to the three dimensional surface of the substrate. A squeegee, that is flexible and conformable to the three dimensional surface, is drawn along screen and forces at least some of the printing medium through the porous portion of the screen and onto the three dimensional surface.

Abstract: A process and panel for fixed automotive glazing, the panel molded from polycarbonate, a UV radiation blocking hard coat deposited thereon, and a pigmented primer applied in a defined band extending about the perimeter. The hard coat protects the pigmented primer coating so that two separate coatings are not required.