Rubber production: raw rubber is rolled out, air bubbles are removed, and carbon black powder is added to strengthen and color the rubber.
Arm production: sheet steel is fed into a press to produce over 900,000 arms per day, which are then painted with electrostatically charged particles for corrosion protection.
Wiper blade production: rubber is squeezed into an extruder, formed into a band, and then cut to size. The band is then passed through a hot salt bath to toughen the rubber.
Quality control: samples are taken and tested for their ability to clear dirty water and snow, and must survive 24 hours in extreme conditions.
Assembly: blades and arms are assembled together, and each set of wipers is inspected by a camera and human eyes for quality control.
Term
Definition
Example Usage
Extruder
A machine that shapes and forms materials, such as rubber, into a desired shape.
In the wiper blade production process, rubber is squeezed into an extruder, formed into a band, and then cut to size.
Electrostatically charged particles
Particles that are statically charged, typically used for coating or painting surfaces.
In the arm production process, the sheet steel is painted with electrostatically charged particles for corrosion protection.
Carbon black powder
A type of powder made from charred organic materials, often used to strengthen and color materials like rubber.
In the rubber production process, carbon black powder is added to strengthen and color the rubber.
Quality control
A process that ensures products meet certain standards or specifications.
In the wiper production process, samples are taken and tested for their ability to clear dirty water and snow, and must survive 24 hours in extreme conditions.
Assembly
The process of combining multiple parts or components into a single unit.
In the wiper production process, blades and arms are assembled together, and each set of wipers is inspected by a camera and human eyes for quality control.
Raw rubber
The unprocessed, natural form of rubber.
In the rubber production process, raw rubber is rolled out, air bubbles are removed, and carbon black powder is added to strengthen and color the rubber.
Sheet steel
A flat piece of steel, often used as a raw material for manufacturing.
In the arm production process, sheet steel is fed into a press to produce over 900,000 arms per day.
Hot salt bath
A process that involves submerging an object in a bath of hot salt to achieve a specific effect, such as toughening rubber.
In the wiper blade production process, the band is passed through a hot salt bath to toughen the rubber.
Corrosion protection
A process or material designed to prevent corrosion or rust on a surface.
In the arm production process, the sheet steel is painted with electrostatically charged particles for corrosion protection.
Camera inspection
The use of a camera to inspect or examine a product or process.
In the assembly process, each set of wipers is inspected by a camera and human eyes for quality control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwaotv2_c2Q
Windscreen Wiper Production Vocabulary Quiz
What does the term “electrostatically” mean in the context of the text?
having a static electric charge
having a dynamic electric charge
having no electric charge
having a magnetic charge
What is the purpose of adding “carbon black powder” to the rubber?
to weaken the rubber
to strengthen and color the rubber
to remove air bubbles
to roll out the rubber
What is the purpose of the “hot salt bath” in the wiper blade production process?
to soften the rubber
to toughen the rubber
to remove air bubbles
to add color to the rubber
What is the purpose of the “quality control” process?
to assemble the wiper blades
to test the wiper blades for quality
to produce the wiper arms
to roll out the rubber
What is the purpose of the “camera” in the assembly process?
to assemble the wiper blades
to inspect the wiper blades for quality
to produce the wiper arms
to roll out the rubber
Answer Key
a) having a static electric charge
b) to strengthen and color the rubber
b) to toughen the rubber
b) to test the wiper blades for quality
b) to inspect the wiper blades for quality
The Passive Voice in Production Processes
Explanation
The passive voice is often used to describe production processes, as it emphasizes the action rather than the doer. In the text, we can see examples of the passive voice in sentences such as “raw rubber is rolled out”, “sheet steel is fed into a press”, “rubber is squeezed into an extruder”, and “samples are taken and tested”. This grammatical structure is commonly used in technical and scientific writing to describe procedures and processes.
Quiz
1. What is emphasized in the passive voice?
A
B
C
D
the doer
the action
the product
the machine
2. Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice?
A
B
C
D
The workers produce the wiper blades.
The wiper blades are produced by the workers.
The wiper blades produce the workers.
The workers are produced by the wiper blades.
3. Why is the passive voice commonly used in technical and scientific writing?
A
B
C
D
to emphasize the doer
to describe procedures and processes
to make the text more complicated
to confuse the reader
4. Which of the following sentences is NOT in the passive voice?
A
B
C
D
The rubber is rolled out.
The workers roll out the rubber.
The rubber is squeezed into an extruder.
The machine removes the air bubbles.
5. What is the purpose of using the passive voice in the text?
A
B
C
D
to emphasize the doer
to describe the product
to describe the procedures and processes
to confuse the reader
Answer Key
1. B) the action
2. B) The wiper blades are produced by the workers.
3. B) to describe procedures and processes
4. B) The workers roll out the rubber.
5. C) to describe the procedures and processes
