Ep 21. Ceramic Tiles, Nuts, Steel Forgings, Skateboards

In season 2 episode 21 of How It's Made, we are taken on a journey through the manufacturing process of four different products: ceramic tiles, nuts, steel forgings, and skateboards.

The episode begins with exploring the creation of ceramic tiles, starting with the raw materials of clay, feldspar, and silica. The materials are crushed and mixed together before being heated at a high temperature in a kiln to create a solid block of clay. The clay block then goes through a series of machines that cut it into the desired shape and size, before being baked again in a kiln. The final result is a beautiful ceramic tile that can be used for flooring or walls in homes and buildings.

Next, we dive into the production of nuts, specifically hex nuts. The process begins by feeding metal rods into a machine that cuts and shapes them into individual nuts. The nuts are then put into a machine that threads them to ensure they can properly fit onto bolts. After threading, the nuts go through a cleaning process to remove any debris or excess metal before being packaged and shipped to their final destination.

Moving on to steel forgings, the episode shows the intense process of creating heavy-duty metal parts such as gears and shafts. The process begins by heating a piece of metal to an incredibly high temperature before hammering it into shape using a large hydraulic press. After the forging process is completed, the metal undergoes a series of treatments to make it stronger and more durable before being machined and polished to the exact specifications required by the customer.

Finally, we see the exciting world of skateboard manufacturing. The process begins by layering sheets of wood together with a glue that is safe for outdoor use. The wood is then cut and shaped into the desired size and shape for the skateboard deck before going through a finishing process that includes sanding and painting. The trucks and wheels are added to the deck, and the final product is inspected for quality before being packaged and sold to skateboarders everywhere.

Overall, this episode of How It's Made showcases the fascinating and diverse world of manufacturing, highlighting the complex processes and attention to detail required to create everyday objects that we often take for granted.