"The part fitted perfectly first time. No compromise, no drama."
// CASE STUDY
When the Windscreen Is Gone
How Mapeex restored a Fairline Targa 40 to Perfect Condition at first Installation
The Challenge
A specialist yacht glazing company contacted Mapeex with an urgent request: a Fairline Targa 40 moored at a British marina needed a full windscreen replacement - under far from ideal conditions.
The vessel was on water. Weather conditions were unfavourable. The owner was under pressure. And to make matters significantly more complex: the windscreen was not merely broken - it was completely missing. There was no physical reference for the original shape, no existing model, no drawing on file.
What made this case particularly demanding was the absence of the upper frame section that supports the windscreen. Without it, the engineering scope extended well beyond a standard replacement job - the team had to reconstruct the original frame geometry from scratch before a single measurement could be validated.
The constraints were unambiguous:
- No spare part available
- No original model or technical drawing
- Scan and data delivery required within 2 days
- Adverse weather conditions on site
The Approach
1 · Assessment
As with every project, Mapeex began with a pre-evaluation based on available photographs. A full onsite inspection followed to clarify the geometric boundaries of the component to be recreated and to prepare the environment for scanning. The quality of the scan preparation directly determines the quality of the result - every detail matters.
2 · Engineering
The frame and its surrounding structure were captured in high-precision 3D scan data, documenting every relevant surface and reference point. The original position of the missing upper frame was reconstructed, and the curvatures of the windscreen profile were analysed to ensure perfect optical reflection in the finished component.
3 · Material Selection
Marine windscreen regulations permit only a slight tint - green, in this case. The replacement part was laminated and chemically toughened for enhanced durability and resistance to the operating environment. Material selection was not a default choice, but an informed engineering decision.
4 · Production & Validation
Before production, the CAD data went through our proven quality control process to verify the fit upfront and remove any risk of deviation. Close coordination with the production team ensured all critical part features were clearly understood and accurately implemented from the start.
"Unlike a standard engineering bureau, Mapeex mapped all operating conditions and environmental factors before capturing geometric boundaries, ensuring the part performs reliably over time, not just fits on day one."
The Result
Six weeks from data release, the windscreen was ready. It was installed on site - first time, without rework, without compromise
First Time Right
Zero rework required
On Time
Delivered within agreed timeline
Long Terminal Reliability
No subsequent issues reported
Pristine Condition Restored
Vessel returned to its original standard
The owner received his yacht back in its finest condition - with a windscreen that matches the original in both form and performance.
Why Mapeex? Key Differentiators in this case
First Time Right - Every Time
Before production, we validate the CAD data to ensure a precise fit and, if needed, Mapeex refines the data to keep the final result on track.
Full Context Engineering
Mapeex does not simply reverse-engineer a shape. The team analyses loads, operating conditions and environmental factors for reliable, long-term performance.
30 Years of Motorsport Precision
Mapeex' methodology was forged in an environment where parts must perform under extreme conditions, to tight deadlines, with zero margin for error. Every client benefits from that standard.
Established Quality Control Processes
Mapeex works with carefully established quality control processes and proven references to ensure consistent quality at every stage.
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