How Windshield Wipers are Made

Never have I been so appreciative of windshield wipers than when I drove into an unexpected storm. Rain was pouring onto my windshield. I did not change my windshield wipers for who knows how long. Cars honked as I drove slowly while attempting to see through my windshield. I stopped at my first opportunity and had my windshield wipers replaced. Now with new windshield wipers, my driving experience went from terrifying to confident and less stressful. The new windshield wiper’s arms were swinging back and forth serving their purpose, keeping my windshield clear of water.

"Trivia Question"
Roll, Salome, San Luis and Somerton Drivers: What year was the windshield wiper invented? Answer: in 1903 by Mary Anderson

Before this experience, I had not given windshield wipers a thought. Now, as they swung back and forth creating a clear view, I had a great appreciation for their impact on my driving experience. The fact that such an apparently simple apparatus is so amazingly important fascinated me. I discovered that making windshield wipers is as efficient as the results they provide when in proper working condition.

Residents of Roll, Salome, San Luis and Somerton: The process starts with rubber that is broken down to a fine grain using a mixer. Powdered carbon is then mixed with the rubber for several hours. Workers then cut the rubber from the mixer and feed it into a heat-treating machine before being placed into an extrusion machine, which combines it with a synthetic rubber. Next, the rubber is pressed through a steel dye to form a continuous profile band.

The rubber profile bands are now cooled in a salt bath before being cut into lengths and split in half to form wiping blades with sharp edges. The wipers are then treated with graphite, used to reduce windshield friction, prior to being placed on a grate to dry. The rubber wipers are so smooth they are difficult to grasp, so workers are required to feed them into an assembly machine by hand. Long narrow metal strips are then inserted into the rubber lengthwise giving it tension to maintain its form against the windshield and hold its shape.

Next, a series of automated procedures, starting with a steel coil are put into a stamping machine that repeatedly cuts and bends the steel to form brackets. These brackets connect the wiper blade to the wiper arm, giving it a curved shape that will fit against a variety of windshields.  The wiper blades are then dipped into a vat of black paint to form a base coat. This process is repeated twice and subsequently the two coats of black paint serve as protection against corrosion for several years.

Then, an automated machine sets plastic joints on the smallest brackets and then clips them two at a time on the larger middle bracket. Next, the machine sets an adapter onto the top center bracket so the wiper can be attached to a variety of car wiper arms.

All the trays holding the assembled wiper parts come together and the machine continues its final assembly. Four brackets held by joints branch out from the main center bracket. The brackets hold the wiper blade in eight different places that allows a full range of movement to the wiper blade while applying even pressure all along the blade. These now completely assembled wipers come off the assembler two at a time so workers can visually inspect them. The workers will test the performance of the blades using a rotating sheet of wet glass, they will monitor the friction the blades apply to the glass and gauge their durability.

The wipers are then tested on an opaque black windshield in order to discover how well they work, since it is important to achieve a clean wipe with no streaking. These completed and tested wiper blades have an amazing life span of over a million wipes.

Now I will be confident when I drive in rain knowing the wipers will be doing their job for many years to come.

"Trivia Question"
Roll, Salome, San Luis, and Somerton residents: What tragic event took place that led to the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper? Answer: The inventor, Robert Kearns, lost his sight in one eye, after being hit in the eye with a champagne bottle cork.

Video: How It's Made Windshield Wipers

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SunTec Auto Glass is a family-owned business located in Arizona, serving most of Maricopa and Pinal counties. We are auto glass repair professionals and specialize in windshield replacement, auto glass repair, window tinting and glass etching along with wiper blade replacement. The expert installers at SunTec Auto Glass are perfect for the job. SunTec Auto Glass understands the importance of using only the best quality auto glass available for your vehicle and for the safety of you and your family. Anywhere in Roll, Salome, San Luis or Somerton and the Valley of the Sun look no further. For professional help and premium quality automotive glass, parts, and moldings. Contact SunTec Auto Glass today to handle all your auto glass repair and windshield replacement needs. 

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