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Welcome to a new world of display technology
Connect with a 3M ExpertThe art of automotive design includes driver alerts, turn-by-turn navigation and even augmented reality. Bringing it all together: the science of managing light and heat. Clear information that blends seamlessly into the driving experience — that is the future of connected mobility. The windshield is the canvas. The head-up display (HUD) is the paintbrush.
Today, displays must remain clear and focused during day or night, across all driver profiles and at any viewing angle — even if the driver is wearing polarized sunglasses. Demand is also increasing for wider fields of view across the entire windshield. This means higher HUD volume and additional challenges in thermal management, durability and even electromagnetic interference (EMI). We are developing scientific answers to all these challenges, from the windshield down to the heat sink. Learn more below.
3M HUD light management
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Get brighter, crisper imagery, wider fields of view and enhance passenger experience that are second to none. Light management has been a 3M specialty for decades. Our reflective films enhance brightness and contrast while reducing distracting reflections — all without increasing energy consumption. Achieve your most visionary HUD designs.
Light management solutions
(1) 3M™ Cold Mirror Film
(2) 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU
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Reduce solar irradiance in the HUD3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF) blocks infrared (IR) light and half of visible wavelengths to reduce solar irradiance in the HUD by as much as 40%. Reduced solar irradiance equals reduced heat — and longer life for HUD components from its LCD and the PGU inside to its frames and covers outside.
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Enhance the display while reducing heat3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP) is a reflective polarizing film used in HUD applications to enhance the display while reducing thermal buildup in and around the PGU assembly. Featuring a multilayer structure bonded with 3M™ Optically Clear Adhesive, VRP brightens the projected image while stopping undesired visible sunlight from passing back through the HUD assembly to the PGU. It can also be placed behind the LCD to block extra light and heat generated by the LED.
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Brighten your HUD and manage thermal load all in one3M offers a 3-film solution to help you enhance performance and reliability while extending thin-film transistor (TFT) life. It includes the 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (VRC), 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF) and 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP).
VRC can be the first line of defense against sunlight. Located on the cover lens at the top of the HUD unit, this film employs reflective polarizing film technology to transmit one polarization state while reflecting the other, lowering temperature inside the unit. CMF bonds act as a cold mirror to block infrared and a portion of the visible light to reduce solar irradiance. VRP guards against heat buildup inside the PGU assembly while brightening the display image. Placed behind or directly in front of the LCD, this film blocks undesired visible light and heat sources from projecting back through the HUD assembly to the PGU.
3M HUD bonding
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Remove borders and push boundaries. Build strong, durable HUDs while hiding distracting bond lines. 3M can help you tackle today’s toughest design challenges in HUD bonding: the ever-growing mix of dissimilar substrates, curved surfaces, narrow, ultra-thin bond lines and more.
Bonding solutions
(1) 3M™ Thin Bonding Tape
(2) 3M™ VHB™ Tape
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Bond complex surfacesGet good initial tack paired with high ultimate adhesion to irregular surfaces. Polyethylene (PE) tapes from 3M are strong, versatile, temperature resistant and provide long-term durability thanks to their closed-cell foam and unique acrylic adhesive system. For in-process temporary protection and clean removability, 3M™ Clear Polyester Durable Label Material is a high-performance adhesive with excellent thermal stability, moisture resistance and UV resistance.
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Boost impact resistance and bond strengthCombine the strength and reliability of an acrylic adhesive with the conformability of an acrylic foam core. 3M™ VHB™ Tapes bring a unique balance of performance to HUD bonding. They help control shock and vibration while enhancing flexibility in your HUD design. Our tapes are convenient, easy to use and can be die cut to pre-formed shapes.
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Thin, reliable bondingThis technologically advanced tape enables performance levels previously not possible for a double-coated tape with a PET carrier. Proprietary technologies bring together an exceptional balance of properties in HUD bonding applications, from excellent anti-lifting, shock absorption and chemical resistance to temporary removability and versatile adhesion to low- and high-surface-energy materials.
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Display Bonding Solutions Video
For minimalist displays that are wider and more curved, bonding solutions from 3M help with impact and vibration resistance.
3M HUD thermal management
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Manage heat loads and protect valuable electronics in HUDs by reflecting sunlight and transferring heat from key components to heat sinks. Films from 3M help protect the HUD, from the cover lens down to the PGU. All materials are flexible, conformable and can be easily die cut and applied with or without automated equipment.
Thermal management solutions
(1) 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover
(2) 3M™ Cold Mirror Film
(3) 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU
(4) 3M™ Thermal Interface Materials
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Keep your HUDs cool3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (VRC) is a multilayer reflective polarizing mirror film laminated to a polycarbonate substrate. Through its polarizing mirror functionality, one polarization state is transmitted while the other is reflected. By reflecting half of visible ambient light, temperature in the HUD is reduced. VRC has been tested between 95°C and –40°C.
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Protect components from solar heatBlock infrared (IR) light and half of visible wavelengths to reduce solar irradiance in the HUD by as much as 40% with 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF). Thanks to the reduction in solar irradiance, you'll enjoy longer life for HUD components from its LCD and the PGU inside to its frames and external covers.
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Boost display performance. Reduce heat.Enhance the display while reducing heat buildup in and around the PGU assembly. A reflective polarizing film, 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP) features a multilayer structure bonded with 3M™ Optically Clear Adhesive. This film can also be placed behind the LCD to block additional light and heat generated by the LED.
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Control and direct heat away from critical components3M offers a broad selection of flexible and compressible thermal interface materials. They are designed to provide efficient heat transfer paths and are ideal for HUD heat sink attachments.
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Brighten your HUD. Mitigate thermal load. All in one.Enhance performance and reliability while extending TFT life. 3M offers a 3-film solution that includes 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (VRC), 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF) and 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP).
VRC is here to help you fight back against sunlight. Located on the cover lens at the top of the HUD, its reflective polarizing film technology transmits one polarization state while reflecting the other, lowering the temperature inside the unit. Help block infrared and visible light and reduce solar irradiance with CMF, a film that bonds to the cold mirror. VRP protects against heat buildup inside the PGU assembly while brightening the display image. Placed behind the LCD, this film helps blocks unwanted visible light and heat sources from projecting back through the HUD assembly to the PGU.
3M HUD EMI management
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Effective EMI management is core to HUD design, where clarity and readability are essential. Achieve clear, consistent electronic signals in the PGU across a broad range of frequencies with advanced EMI absorbers from 3M.
EMI management solutions
(1) 3M™ EMI Absorbers
(2) 3M™ EMI Shielding Gasket Tapes
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Block a broad spectrum of interference from internal sources
Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to a high magnetic-permeability composite made from polymeric resin and magnetic metal flake filler — ideal for absorbing noise and optimizing signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) around critical HUD components. The material is available in sheet form and can be easily die cut into complex shapes.
3M HUD cushioning and damping
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HUDs must be functional, intuitive, aesthetic and — last but not least — durable. Secure delicate components with engineered cushioning foams. Foams are thin, lightweight and highly effective at absorbing vibration and shock. We’ll help protect your HUD against any and all bumps in the road.
Cushioning and damping solutions
(1) Aearo Technologies Foams
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Fight back against shock and vibration
Get advanced HUD cushioning and damping solutions from Aearo Technologies LLC, a 3M company. Aearo Technologies foams can absorb and dissipate vibration and impact energy without collapsing or bottoming out. This helps reduce load points, prevent flexing and keep display screens intact. They help prevent screen flexing and cracking to protect valuable and delicate HUD components for the long haul.
Explore more automotive Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications
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Electronic control units need to drive more complex functionality in vehicles. Address challenges like thermal management, electromagnetic interference, bonding and joining and more.
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Enable better situational awareness, help improve control and make driving easier. Integrate, optimize and protect a variety of sensors in your vehicle.
