Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:02,137 --> 00:00:05,103
--captions by vitac--
Www.Vitac.Com
2
00:00:05,103 --> 00:00:08,103
Captions paid for by
Discovery communications
3
00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,034
Narrator:
The sport of javelin throw
4
00:00:54,034 --> 00:00:56,448
Dates back to the olympics
In ancient greece.
5
00:00:56,448 --> 00:00:58,551
The athlete sprints
Down a runway
6
00:00:58,551 --> 00:01:01,344
And just before reaching
A line on the ground,
7
00:01:01,344 --> 00:01:02,862
Hurls the javelin forward.
8
00:01:02,862 --> 00:01:04,413
For the throw to count,
9
00:01:04,413 --> 00:01:06,862
The athlete
Can't step over the line
10
00:01:06,862 --> 00:01:10,275
And the javelin has to land
Point-first in the ground.
11
00:01:13,517 --> 00:01:19,068
This modern javelin consists of
A long, hollow tube and a point.
12
00:01:19,068 --> 00:01:21,965
The tube portion
Is called the shaft.
13
00:01:21,965 --> 00:01:25,034
This company uses strong,
Lightweight aluminum,
14
00:01:25,034 --> 00:01:29,172
But javelin shafts can also be
Made of steel or carbon fiber.
15
00:01:29,172 --> 00:01:31,931
The tube
Is 1.2 inches in diameter.
16
00:01:31,931 --> 00:01:33,965
It first goes into
A taper machine,
17
00:01:33,965 --> 00:01:36,931
Where forming dies
Narrow the back end
18
00:01:36,931 --> 00:01:39,965
To very specific dimensions.
19
00:01:39,965 --> 00:01:42,379
The taper profile
Varies by model
20
00:01:42,379 --> 00:01:45,310
But has to conform
To international rules.
21
00:01:45,310 --> 00:01:48,068
After making the exact end
Of the taper,
22
00:01:48,068 --> 00:01:50,448
They slice off
The excess tubing.
23
00:01:50,448 --> 00:01:52,379
The shaft is now
Its final length --
24
00:01:52,379 --> 00:01:54,862
7.2 feet for a woman's model
25
00:01:54,862 --> 00:01:57,448
And 8.5 feet for a men's.
26
00:01:59,551 --> 00:02:01,620
A straightening machine
Sandwiches the shaft
27
00:02:01,620 --> 00:02:04,206
Between two hydraulic cylinders.
28
00:02:04,206 --> 00:02:08,068
They apply extreme pressure,
Straightening any large bends.
29
00:02:08,068 --> 00:02:10,724
This is just
A preliminary straightening.
30
00:02:10,724 --> 00:02:13,137
The final one comes later.
31
00:02:13,137 --> 00:02:15,482
Next, working strictly by eye,
32
00:02:15,482 --> 00:02:19,241
A specially trained technician
Sands the shaft,
33
00:02:19,241 --> 00:02:23,758
Fine-tuning it to a very precise
Diameter and weight.
34
00:02:23,758 --> 00:02:27,068
The javelin's point section
Is made of steel tubing
35
00:02:27,068 --> 00:02:29,413
That's a hair wider
Than the shaft.
36
00:02:29,413 --> 00:02:32,310
After tapering the front,
They saw off the excess,
37
00:02:32,310 --> 00:02:36,551
Making the point
Around 12 inches long.
38
00:02:36,551 --> 00:02:40,068
Now for the point's steel tip
That jabs into the ground.
39
00:02:40,068 --> 00:02:44,103
They position it in a holder,
Place the point body behind it,
40
00:02:44,103 --> 00:02:46,551
Then weld the two parts
Together.
41
00:02:52,517 --> 00:02:55,000
To make the point
More aerodynamic,
42
00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:56,689
They sand down the weld line
43
00:02:56,689 --> 00:03:00,000
Until it's flush
With the surrounding steel.
44
00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,000
Using progressively finer grits
Of sandpaper,
45
00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,379
They polish away
Any imperfections
46
00:03:05,379 --> 00:03:08,551
Until the point
Is perfectly smooth.
47
00:03:08,551 --> 00:03:10,862
Now for the final assembly.
48
00:03:10,862 --> 00:03:13,379
The shaft is sporting
Two coats of paint,
49
00:03:13,379 --> 00:03:16,413
And the point is nickel-plated
To rustproof the steel.
50
00:03:18,655 --> 00:03:21,793
They mark how far up the shaft
The point will go
51
00:03:21,793 --> 00:03:24,793
And slip it on temporarily.
52
00:03:24,793 --> 00:03:26,172
As the javelin pivots
53
00:03:26,172 --> 00:03:28,896
Precisely where
International rules dictate,
54
00:03:28,896 --> 00:03:32,620
They add pieces of lead
Until the javelin balances.
55
00:03:32,620 --> 00:03:36,379
Then all the components
Go on a scale
56
00:03:36,379 --> 00:03:38,620
To ensure their combined weight
Abides by international rules --
57
00:03:38,620 --> 00:03:41,551
1.3 pounds
For a women's javelin,
58
00:03:41,551 --> 00:03:43,517
1.8 pounds for a men's.
59
00:03:43,517 --> 00:03:46,931
Next they squirt a little glue
Inside the point
60
00:03:46,931 --> 00:03:48,586
And drop the chunk of lead
Inside.
61
00:03:51,103 --> 00:03:55,758
They drop in some knotted cord
And ram it in with a metal rod.
62
00:03:55,758 --> 00:03:59,241
This packs in the lead
So it won't rattle around.
63
00:04:05,068 --> 00:04:08,517
They use glue to adhere
The point to the shaft.
64
00:04:10,413 --> 00:04:13,103
They drive home the point,
So to speak,
65
00:04:13,103 --> 00:04:16,034
By throwing the javelin
Against a lead slab.
66
00:04:16,034 --> 00:04:19,827
The force of impact pushes the
Point into its final position.
67
00:04:21,275 --> 00:04:23,655
Now they recheck the javelin's
Overall weight.
68
00:04:23,655 --> 00:04:25,000
If it's underweight,
69
00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,586
They simply tape some sheet lead
To the center of gravity,
70
00:04:28,586 --> 00:04:31,068
Where the handgrip will hide it.
71
00:04:40,275 --> 00:04:43,413
Using a gauge to measure
The grip's permissible length,
72
00:04:43,413 --> 00:04:45,896
They mark the grip position
At the center of gravity,
73
00:04:45,896 --> 00:04:48,034
Then mount the javelin
On a lathe
74
00:04:48,034 --> 00:04:50,413
And coat the marked area
In glue.
75
00:04:56,034 --> 00:05:00,344
They wind cotton cord
Around the shaft over the glue.
76
00:05:03,793 --> 00:05:05,827
Before cutting the end,
77
00:05:05,827 --> 00:05:08,241
They verify the length
Of the grip with the gauge.
78
00:05:08,241 --> 00:05:10,310
They apply two decals --
79
00:05:10,310 --> 00:05:14,793
One bearing the company name,
The other a safety warning.
80
00:05:14,793 --> 00:05:17,793
But no seal of approval
Just yet.
81
00:05:17,793 --> 00:05:20,689
The javelin still has to undergo
A final straightening.
82
00:05:20,689 --> 00:05:23,137
This takes an expert eye
83
00:05:23,137 --> 00:05:27,241
And a small hand-operated press
To straighten out any bends.
84
00:05:29,586 --> 00:05:32,241
It's all a question
Of aerodynamics.
85
00:05:32,241 --> 00:05:33,758
The straighter the javelin,
86
00:05:33,758 --> 00:05:36,896
The more likely it is
To go the distance.
87
00:05:52,517 --> 00:05:54,172
Narrator: the black forest
Region of southwest germany
88
00:05:54,172 --> 00:05:56,034
Is world-famous
For its cuckoo clocks,
89
00:05:56,034 --> 00:05:59,034
Which have either one-day
Or eight-day movements,
90
00:05:59,034 --> 00:06:01,586
Meaning that's how long they run
On one winding.
91
00:06:01,586 --> 00:06:03,551
The standard feature
Is a little bird
92
00:06:03,551 --> 00:06:06,000
That emerges and cuckoos
When the clock strikes.
93
00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,586
Some clocks also play music
And have moving figures.
94
00:06:11,551 --> 00:06:12,965
[ clock cuckoos ]
95
00:06:15,862 --> 00:06:18,689
The intricate carvings that
Decorate many cuckoo clocks
96
00:06:18,689 --> 00:06:20,482
Start out as a block of linden,
97
00:06:20,482 --> 00:06:22,586
A soft wood
That's easy to carve.
98
00:06:22,586 --> 00:06:25,448
An artisan first outlines
The basic shape
99
00:06:25,448 --> 00:06:27,241
Using a stencil and paint,
100
00:06:27,241 --> 00:06:28,827
Then cuts it out with a jigsaw.
101
00:06:28,827 --> 00:06:32,620
Here he's cutting three blocks
At once.
102
00:06:35,068 --> 00:06:36,517
To steady the piece,
103
00:06:36,517 --> 00:06:40,206
He mallets it to nails
Protruding from a block of wood.
104
00:06:40,206 --> 00:06:41,758
Then he begins carving,
105
00:06:41,758 --> 00:06:43,586
Using up to 50 different knives
106
00:06:43,586 --> 00:06:46,034
To sculpt
Exceptionally fine detail.
107
00:06:49,103 --> 00:06:51,068
The clock cases
These carvings decorate
108
00:06:51,068 --> 00:06:55,034
Are made of pine or plywood,
Depending on the model.
109
00:06:58,103 --> 00:07:00,758
Often a case
Has no carving at all.
110
00:07:00,758 --> 00:07:04,172
Instead, an artist paints
An elaborate design.
111
00:07:06,482 --> 00:07:10,413
Some cases feature a combination
Of painting and carving.
112
00:07:12,482 --> 00:07:14,862
The technical artistry
Is on the inside.
113
00:07:14,862 --> 00:07:17,103
The clock's brain,
Called the movement,
114
00:07:17,103 --> 00:07:20,241
Is a system
Of brass and steel gears.
115
00:07:20,241 --> 00:07:23,103
It keeps time and triggers
The cuckoo function.
116
00:07:23,103 --> 00:07:25,448
The components
And configuration vary
117
00:07:25,448 --> 00:07:28,793
According to whether it's
A one-day or eight-day movement.
118
00:07:32,206 --> 00:07:35,517
Workers sandwich the movement
Between two brass plates,
119
00:07:35,517 --> 00:07:37,827
Connecting them at the corners
With long screws.
120
00:07:37,827 --> 00:07:40,206
Then on the outside,
121
00:07:40,206 --> 00:07:43,517
The install the mechanism
That times the chime.
122
00:07:48,827 --> 00:07:52,344
Next the steel wire on which
The cuckoo bird will perch.
123
00:07:52,344 --> 00:07:54,344
Then last but not least,
124
00:07:54,344 --> 00:07:56,689
The reels that will move
The clock hands.
125
00:07:56,689 --> 00:07:59,034
The factory runs
Every finished movement
126
00:07:59,034 --> 00:08:02,551
For two days straight to ensure
It functions perfectly.
127
00:08:04,689 --> 00:08:08,000
The first part that goes
On the clock case is the dial.
128
00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,172
They tack it with tiny nails.
129
00:08:10,172 --> 00:08:12,862
Next, the wooden cuckoo bird.
130
00:08:12,862 --> 00:08:16,586
They insert the movement's perch
Wire through a hole in its foot,
131
00:08:16,586 --> 00:08:19,758
Then secure it with a screw
So he doesn't fly off.
132
00:08:19,758 --> 00:08:22,310
After trimming his tail
So he'll fit,
133
00:08:22,310 --> 00:08:26,344
They screw the movement,
Bird and all, inside the case.
134
00:08:26,344 --> 00:08:30,137
Next, the steel wires
That operate the components
135
00:08:30,137 --> 00:08:32,448
That produce the cuckoo sound.
136
00:08:32,448 --> 00:08:35,275
We'll see them shortly.
137
00:08:35,275 --> 00:08:38,275
And, finally,
The dial's wooden hands.
138
00:08:41,793 --> 00:08:44,000
Every cuckoo clock
Has two chains
139
00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,413
That regulate the speed at which
The movement gears turn.
140
00:08:47,413 --> 00:08:49,275
As we see here in slow motion,
141
00:08:49,275 --> 00:08:52,724
An automated machine makes these
Chains one link at a time
142
00:08:52,724 --> 00:08:55,827
By first cutting, then bending
Pieces of brass wire.
143
00:08:58,862 --> 00:09:02,931
Each chain goes into the case
Through a hole in the bottom,
144
00:09:02,931 --> 00:09:05,620
Then onto a wheel
In the movement,
145
00:09:05,620 --> 00:09:08,172
Then back out through another
Hole in the bottom of the case.
146
00:09:11,931 --> 00:09:14,241
"S" hooks go onto the ends.
147
00:09:14,241 --> 00:09:18,689
These will hold cast-iron
Weights that pull the chain.
148
00:09:18,689 --> 00:09:20,689
Workers rig up a small wire
149
00:09:20,689 --> 00:09:22,448
Connecting the bird
And the door.
150
00:09:22,448 --> 00:09:25,655
This opens the door
When he comes out to cuckoo.
151
00:09:30,310 --> 00:09:33,758
[ bellows cuckoo ]
152
00:09:33,758 --> 00:09:35,896
As this demonstration shows,
153
00:09:35,896 --> 00:09:37,896
The bird's cuckoo
Is actually the sound
154
00:09:37,896 --> 00:09:42,241
Of air pumping in and out
Of two miniature bellows.
155
00:09:42,241 --> 00:09:44,000
Before each cuckoo,
156
00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:48,137
The hammer on the end of this
Steel wire hits a tiny gong.
157
00:09:48,137 --> 00:09:52,103
The number of gong cuckoos
Indicates the hour.
158
00:09:52,103 --> 00:09:55,379
After connecting the bellows
To the movement,
159
00:09:55,379 --> 00:09:57,137
There's just one step left --
160
00:09:57,137 --> 00:09:59,517
Running a wire from the movement
Through the bottom
161
00:09:59,517 --> 00:10:01,034
For the pendulum.
162
00:10:01,034 --> 00:10:03,862
The technical choreography
Can now begin.
163
00:10:03,862 --> 00:10:06,517
Winding up the clock
Raises the chain,
164
00:10:06,517 --> 00:10:08,206
Pulling up the weight
On the end.
165
00:10:08,206 --> 00:10:10,586
As the weight falls back down
Gradually,
166
00:10:10,586 --> 00:10:13,206
It pulls the chain,
Which turns the movement,
167
00:10:13,206 --> 00:10:15,379
Which drives the hands
Of the clock.
168
00:10:15,379 --> 00:10:18,482
The pendulum regulates the pace.
169
00:10:18,482 --> 00:10:21,965
At this factory, a clock gets
The seal of approval
170
00:10:21,965 --> 00:10:24,137
Only after a two-day test run
171
00:10:24,137 --> 00:10:25,827
During which it must perform
Impeccably.
172
00:10:25,827 --> 00:10:29,482
It's this attention to detail,
Both artistic and technical,
173
00:10:29,482 --> 00:10:32,620
That makes these traditional
German cuckoo clocks
174
00:10:32,620 --> 00:10:34,689
Such timeless treasures.
175
00:10:34,689 --> 00:10:37,206
[ clock plays "Edelweiss" ]
176
00:10:51,827 --> 00:10:53,275
Narrator: heart of palm
Is a vegetable
177
00:10:53,275 --> 00:10:54,827
That comes from certain species
Of palms.
178
00:10:54,827 --> 00:10:56,206
It doesn't grow on the plant
179
00:10:56,206 --> 00:10:58,275
The way fruits and vegetables
Usually do.
180
00:10:58,275 --> 00:11:00,965
Rather, it's the soft, edible
Inner core of the stems.
181
00:11:00,965 --> 00:11:02,172
Harvesting palm stems
182
00:11:02,172 --> 00:11:04,620
And then processing them
To extract the heart
183
00:11:04,620 --> 00:11:06,172
Is very labor-intensive,
184
00:11:06,172 --> 00:11:09,344
Which is why this delicious
Vegetable is a delicacy.
185
00:11:12,758 --> 00:11:17,172
Life for this tropical vegetable
Begins in the farm's nursery,
186
00:11:17,172 --> 00:11:20,206
Where they plant a palm seed
In a pot of soil.
187
00:11:20,206 --> 00:11:22,206
After a couple of weeks,
188
00:11:22,206 --> 00:11:25,620
They transplant the seedling
Into a bag,
189
00:11:25,620 --> 00:11:27,931
And the seedling grows.
190
00:11:36,655 --> 00:11:39,310
Life in the nursery
Is one of routine --
191
00:11:39,310 --> 00:11:41,620
Scheduled feedings
Of fertilizer,
192
00:11:41,620 --> 00:11:44,034
Regular weeding,
And a daily shower.
193
00:11:47,689 --> 00:11:49,724
After about three months,
194
00:11:49,724 --> 00:11:52,586
That little seedling
Has matured into a plant
195
00:11:52,586 --> 00:11:55,103
That's strong enough
To go into the field.
196
00:11:55,103 --> 00:11:57,793
Workers remove it
From the bag gently,
197
00:11:57,793 --> 00:11:59,724
Careful not to harm the roots.
198
00:11:59,724 --> 00:12:02,068
Then they plant it
In loose soil.
199
00:12:07,344 --> 00:12:10,034
After about a year and a half
Of field growth,
200
00:12:10,034 --> 00:12:11,827
It's time for the first harvest.
201
00:12:11,827 --> 00:12:13,137
Using a machete,
202
00:12:13,137 --> 00:12:16,344
The harvester grabs and chops
Off the main stem.
203
00:12:16,344 --> 00:12:18,034
One of the remaining
Smaller stems
204
00:12:18,034 --> 00:12:19,793
Will become the new main stem
205
00:12:19,793 --> 00:12:23,137
And be ready for harvesting
In about six months' time.
206
00:12:23,137 --> 00:12:25,793
This cycle continues
For about a decade.
207
00:12:25,793 --> 00:12:29,758
After cutting off the stem,
The harvester strips the bark.
208
00:12:29,758 --> 00:12:31,517
This exposes a shell underneath
209
00:12:31,517 --> 00:12:34,758
That protects the palm heart
At the core of the stem
210
00:12:34,758 --> 00:12:36,551
From damage and dehydration.
211
00:12:36,551 --> 00:12:39,931
Later the factory will slice off
This shell like so
212
00:12:39,931 --> 00:12:42,068
To extract the heart.
213
00:12:49,448 --> 00:12:51,758
Once the stems arrive
At the factory,
214
00:12:51,758 --> 00:12:54,310
They go into a basin of water
Immediately.
215
00:12:54,310 --> 00:12:56,827
This prevents dehydration.
216
00:12:56,827 --> 00:12:59,724
Next workers load them
On a conveyor belt,
217
00:12:59,724 --> 00:13:02,931
Lining the bases
Right up against the edge.
218
00:13:02,931 --> 00:13:04,517
Someone else, meanwhile,
219
00:13:04,517 --> 00:13:08,275
Clicks a counter to tally
The number of stems passing by.
220
00:13:08,275 --> 00:13:10,586
The conveyor belt
Transports the stems
221
00:13:10,586 --> 00:13:14,793
To a circular saw that slices
Off a portion of the base.
222
00:13:17,137 --> 00:13:21,310
Next workers slide each stem
Across a razor-sharp blade,
223
00:13:21,310 --> 00:13:24,448
Slicing open the shell
That encases the heart.
224
00:13:28,827 --> 00:13:31,482
With a quick twist,
The shell comes off,
225
00:13:31,482 --> 00:13:34,482
And they place the heart
On a conveyor above.
226
00:13:34,482 --> 00:13:36,068
Further down the line,
227
00:13:36,068 --> 00:13:38,620
The hearts run against
Another circular saw,
228
00:13:38,620 --> 00:13:43,000
Which slices off
What's left of the base.
229
00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,758
Next a row of saws
Spaced six inches apart
230
00:13:46,758 --> 00:13:48,758
Cuts each stem into pieces.
231
00:13:48,758 --> 00:13:52,517
Now the hearts of palm are just
The right size for packaging.
232
00:13:56,482 --> 00:13:59,137
In the field, the stems' bark
And outer shell
233
00:13:59,137 --> 00:14:00,793
Acted as a dirt barrier.
234
00:14:00,793 --> 00:14:03,793
Still, the hearts get a rinse
In cold water
235
00:14:03,793 --> 00:14:05,413
Before going into the jar.
236
00:14:09,137 --> 00:14:10,827
Each jar has to contain
237
00:14:10,827 --> 00:14:13,655
A specific weight
And number of pieces,
238
00:14:13,655 --> 00:14:16,379
So it goes on a scale,
And, if necessary,
239
00:14:16,379 --> 00:14:17,655
A worker adjusts the weight
240
00:14:17,655 --> 00:14:20,931
By swapping a piece
For one of a different size.
241
00:14:27,310 --> 00:14:30,724
The jars now move onto a machine
That fills them with brine,
242
00:14:30,724 --> 00:14:33,827
A special recipe
Of water, salt, and citric acid
243
00:14:33,827 --> 00:14:37,000
That acts as a preservative.
244
00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:40,206
The brine-filled jars then
Go into a hot-steam machine.
245
00:14:40,206 --> 00:14:42,862
It heats the liquid
For about 10 minutes,
246
00:14:42,862 --> 00:14:44,551
Almost to the boiling point.
247
00:14:44,551 --> 00:14:47,241
This forces all the air
Out of the hearts,
248
00:14:47,241 --> 00:14:49,689
Preparing them
For pasteurization.
249
00:14:51,482 --> 00:14:54,068
On the way
To the pasteurization chamber,
250
00:14:54,068 --> 00:14:56,586
The jars pass through
A capping machine,
251
00:14:56,586 --> 00:14:59,241
Then under
An ink-jet printer head,
252
00:14:59,241 --> 00:15:02,586
Which applies the lot number
And product expiration date.
253
00:15:04,448 --> 00:15:08,310
Now it's into the pasteurization
Chamber for an hour and a half.
254
00:15:08,310 --> 00:15:11,551
This intense heat,
207 degrees fahrenheit,
255
00:15:11,551 --> 00:15:15,655
Kills off any microorganisms
Lurking inside the jars.
256
00:15:15,655 --> 00:15:17,758
After a one-week
Quarantine period
257
00:15:17,758 --> 00:15:20,758
To ensure the hearts of palm
Don't deteriorate in any way,
258
00:15:20,758 --> 00:15:24,137
The jars are ready for labeling.
259
00:15:24,137 --> 00:15:26,448
The brine and pasteurization
Combined
260
00:15:26,448 --> 00:15:29,965
Give the sealed container
A four-year shelf life,
261
00:15:29,965 --> 00:15:34,931
So whether served alone,
In a salad, with pasta or rice,
262
00:15:34,931 --> 00:15:37,137
These hearts of palm
Are guaranteed
263
00:15:37,137 --> 00:15:40,000
To be as fresh
As they are tasty.
264
00:15:52,724 --> 00:15:55,172
Narrator:
The first windshield wipers
Were invented in the early 1900s
265
00:15:55,172 --> 00:15:58,344
By a woman who got the idea
From watching a trolley driver
266
00:15:58,344 --> 00:16:01,206
Wipe the sleet off the
Windshield with his hands.
267
00:16:01,206 --> 00:16:05,586
After 1920, wipers became
Standard equipment on all cars.
268
00:16:05,586 --> 00:16:08,068
Today, even the space shuttle
Has them.
269
00:16:13,103 --> 00:16:16,413
These windshield wipers
All have a rubber wiping blade.
270
00:16:16,413 --> 00:16:18,896
To make it,
Workers load natural rubber
271
00:16:18,896 --> 00:16:21,965
Into a mixer that breaks it down
Into fine grains.
272
00:16:23,724 --> 00:16:27,689
Then they add powdered carbon to
The rubber and leave it to mix.
273
00:16:33,379 --> 00:16:34,724
After several hours,
274
00:16:34,724 --> 00:16:37,551
A worker cuts the rubber
Away from the mixer
275
00:16:37,551 --> 00:16:41,068
And feeds it into
A heat-treating machine.
276
00:16:41,068 --> 00:16:45,448
Next the natural-rubber strips
Enter an extrusion machine,
277
00:16:45,448 --> 00:16:48,758
Which will combine them with
The strips of synthetic rubber.
278
00:16:48,758 --> 00:16:51,310
The rubber extrudes
Through this steel die
279
00:16:51,310 --> 00:16:53,551
To form a continuous
Profiled band.
280
00:17:05,793 --> 00:17:08,965
The rubber band cools
In a salt bath
281
00:17:08,965 --> 00:17:13,172
Before it's cut into lengths,
Then split in half
282
00:17:13,172 --> 00:17:17,586
To form two wiping blades
With a clean, sharp edge.
283
00:17:20,068 --> 00:17:24,206
The blades go through a spray
Of graphite to reduce friction,
284
00:17:24,206 --> 00:17:26,793
Then drop onto a grate
To dry out.
285
00:17:29,724 --> 00:17:33,172
The rubber is so smooth,
It's hard to grasp,
286
00:17:33,172 --> 00:17:36,344
So workers must insert
Each blade by hand
287
00:17:36,344 --> 00:17:39,034
Into an assembling machine.
288
00:17:39,034 --> 00:17:41,965
In the center of the wiper blade
Is an opening
289
00:17:41,965 --> 00:17:46,137
Into which a machine will insert
A metal tension strip.
290
00:17:46,137 --> 00:17:49,034
It serves to press the blade
On the windshield
291
00:17:49,034 --> 00:17:50,896
And hold its shape.
292
00:17:50,896 --> 00:17:52,758
The machine applies
Pneumatic pressure
293
00:17:52,758 --> 00:17:54,413
To literally blow the strips
294
00:17:54,413 --> 00:17:56,551
Through the length
Of the blades.
295
00:18:02,862 --> 00:18:06,137
This steel coil
Feeds into a stamping machine
296
00:18:06,137 --> 00:18:10,103
That repeatedly cuts
And bends it to form brackets.
297
00:18:10,103 --> 00:18:11,448
These brackets
298
00:18:11,448 --> 00:18:14,034
Connect the windshield-wiper
Blades to the wiper arm
299
00:18:14,034 --> 00:18:15,724
And give them the shape
They need
300
00:18:15,724 --> 00:18:17,862
To wipe on curved windshields.
301
00:18:20,241 --> 00:18:22,724
The brackets come out
Of the machine in rows,
302
00:18:22,724 --> 00:18:25,413
Still attached
To the edges of the coil.
303
00:18:28,413 --> 00:18:32,000
Next, the rows of brackets
Dip into a vat of paint
304
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,344
To receive a base coat,
305
00:18:34,344 --> 00:18:36,724
Followed by two more coats
Of black paint
306
00:18:36,724 --> 00:18:39,827
That will protect them from
Corrosion for several years.
307
00:18:46,827 --> 00:18:49,482
Assemble all these pieces
Together,
308
00:18:49,482 --> 00:18:53,241
And you'll have
This complete windshield wiper.
309
00:18:53,241 --> 00:18:56,448
Thanks to this machine,
It's a fully automated process.
310
00:18:59,241 --> 00:19:04,517
First it sets a plastic joint
On the smallest brackets,
311
00:19:04,517 --> 00:19:08,862
Then clips them two at a time
Onto a larger middle bracket.
312
00:19:17,620 --> 00:19:21,793
Next the machine sets an adaptor
Onto the top-center bracket
313
00:19:21,793 --> 00:19:25,310
So the wiper can attach
To a variety of car wiper arms.
314
00:19:27,724 --> 00:19:29,413
Finally, all the trays
315
00:19:29,413 --> 00:19:32,413
On which lie the assembled
Wiper parts come together
316
00:19:32,413 --> 00:19:35,689
As the machine proceeds
With the final assembly.
317
00:19:35,689 --> 00:19:38,344
Four brackets held by joints
318
00:19:38,344 --> 00:19:40,896
Branch out
From the main center bracket.
319
00:19:40,896 --> 00:19:44,068
They hold the wiper blade
In eight different places.
320
00:19:44,068 --> 00:19:47,586
This design allows a full range
Of movement to the wiper
321
00:19:47,586 --> 00:19:51,000
While applying an even pressure
All along the blade --
322
00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,655
The key to a clean wipe
With no streaking.
323
00:19:58,517 --> 00:20:02,103
The completed wipers come off
The assembler two at a time.
324
00:20:08,103 --> 00:20:10,137
Workers visually inspect
The wipers
325
00:20:10,137 --> 00:20:12,517
And then test the performance
Of the blade
326
00:20:12,517 --> 00:20:14,724
Against a rotating sheet
Of wet glass.
327
00:20:14,724 --> 00:20:17,931
They monitor
The amount of friction
328
00:20:17,931 --> 00:20:19,620
The blade applies to the glass
329
00:20:19,620 --> 00:20:22,103
And gauge its durability.
330
00:20:28,482 --> 00:20:32,000
Finally, they test the wipers
On an opaque black windshield
331
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,620
That reveals just how well
They work.
332
00:20:37,137 --> 00:20:40,448
With a life-span
Of more than a million wipes,
333
00:20:40,448 --> 00:20:44,103
They're surely the most reliable
Device on any car.
334
00:20:53,206 --> 00:20:55,896
If you have any comments
About the show,
335
00:20:55,896 --> 00:20:59,000
Or if you'd like to suggest
Topics for future shows,
336
00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:01,482
Drop us a line at...
27414
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.