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Wiper Blade Testing & Development

ARDL tests all types of windshield wiper blade systems and can supply any make or model test vehicle for your wiper blades.

Testing includes, but is not limited to:

3D FEA Design

ARDL is experienced in the design and analysis of wiper blade structures for optimum distribution of wiping pressure on the windshield surface. ARDL uses state-of-the-art experimental and computational mechanics tools to generate the best designs for our Tier 1 and OEM customers. Computerized product design and development are used to aid in decision making prior to manufacturing.

Coefficient of Friction

The frictional coefficients obtained are used to predict wear, chatter, squeal and energy consumption, as well as to compare various surface treatments.

Durability Testing

Durability testing to 1,500,000 cycles helps define the life prediction of your wiper blade, your wiper blade’s wipe quality and your super structure.

Initial Wipe Grade

To test the initial wipe grade, wiper blades are cycled on a specially constructed wiper test buck. A new glass windshield is used and is painted black on the inside to help enhance the viewing of any surface defects caused by a poor performing wiper blade. The wiper blades are graded on a scale of 1-10:

Grade Requirement

10
  • No visible water remaining on the wipe pattern
  • No streaking
  • No chatter lines visible

9
  • One or two minor streaks (each less than 3 mm wide), not remaining visible for more than 3 seconds after the blade passes
  • No chatter lines visible

8
  • Three or more minor streaks (each less than 3 mm wide), not remaining visible for more than 3 seconds after the blade passes and/or smear that evaporates in less than 1 second
  • No chatter lines visible

7
  • Smearing of the wipe pattern that remains visible more than 1 second  but less than 3 seconds and/or one minor (less than 3 mm wide)streak remaining for more than 3 seconds
  • No chatter lines visible

6
  • Minor radial lines (each less than 6 mm wide) as evidence of chatter or a single streak (from 3mm to 6mm wide) remaining more than 3 seconds

5
  • A single band (less than or equal to 25 mm wide) or streaks (each from 3 mm wide)
  • Minor radial lines (each less than 6 mm wide) as evidence of chatter or a single streak (from 3mm to 6 mm wide) remaining more than 3 seconds

4
  • A wide band of streaks or smearing (greater than 25 mm wide) that remains more than 3 seconds after blade passes and/or major radial chatter lines (each more than 6 mm wide)

3
  • Major streaks (each more than 6 mm wide) that remain 3 seconds after blade passes and major radial chatter lines (each more than 6 mm wide)

2
  • Unwiped areas or full pattern streaks or full pattern chatter lines

1
  • Mostly unwiped pattern and major streaks

Mini DeMattia Testing

The Mini DeMattia flex-life test determines the durability of a component and can be used to measure the change in durability as a function of age. A major benefit of ARDL’s newly developed procedure is the ability to perform the traditional DeMattia test on scaled down samples as thin as 0.020″ that are prepared from new or aged field samples.

Ozone Testing

Ozone testing is done not only to prove a product passes ozone standards but to provide a time line of rubber deterioration and determine if premature rubber cracking will occur.

Permanent Set Testing

Permanent set is the first test a manufactured wiper blade must pass and is the most critical. When sitting on a windshield for an extended period of time, wiper blades can form a permanent set. Wiper blades must have a low permanent set to guarantee proper blade flipping over the life of the blade.

Salt Spray Testing

Salt spray testing is an advanced corrosion test that evaluates the durability of coatings on super structures, fastener/clip integrity, paint and rubber integrity.

Super Structure Testing

Complete wiper blade super structures can be tested at temperatures from -30°F to 120°F. ARDL’s super structure testing can include simulated snow and ice slap testing, specular gloss measuring on surfaces and continuous pressure pattern testing.

If you would like more information on our Wiper Blade testing capabilities, please contact ARDL via email or by phone at (866) 778-ARDL or (330) 794-6600.

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