Ep 1. Patterned Glass Panels, Road Cases, and Stop-Motion Animation.

The eleventh season of the popular show 'How It's Made' kicks off with an exciting new episode that showcases the manufacturing process of Patterned Glass Panels, Road Cases, and Stop-Motion Animation.

The first segment of the episode is devoted to Patterned Glass Panels. Viewers get an inside look into the fascinating world of glass manufacturing, as they follow the journey of raw materials such as sand and sodium carbonate, which are heated to over 1500 degrees Celsius to create a molten glass mixture.

Next, the molten glass is poured onto a sheet of molten tin, which stabilizes and smooths out the glass, creating the 'float glass' that is used in the production of Patterned Glass Panels. The glass is then cut into specific sizes, and patterns are added using a roller press.

In the second segment, the focus shifts to Road Cases- heavy-duty containers used for the transportation of musical instruments, sound and lighting equipment, and other fragile technical items.

Viewers get to see how these cases are fabricated, from the initial design stage to the finished product. The process begins with the computer-generated drawings of the case, which is then transferred onto a sheet of aluminum using a printer. The aluminum sheet, which is about .080 inches thick, is then cut, bent, and formed into the shape of the case using a combination of computer-controlled machinery and experienced craftsmanship.

The final segment of the episode features Stop-Motion Animation- a unique method of animation that involves the use of physical objects such as puppets, clay figures, or Lego pieces, to create the illusion of motion.

Viewers get a backstage look into the making of a stop-motion animation film, as they witness the creation of the sets, the puppets, and the delicate choreography that is required to create a seamless animation sequence. The episode covers everything, from sculpting the puppets, to dressing them up for the shoot, to the use of specialized software that allows animators to capture images with a digital camera and sync them together to create the final product.

Overall, the first episode of How It's Made season 11 is an exciting glimpse into the world of manufacturing and production, and an excellent start to what promises to be another fantastic season of the show. The combination of Patterned Glass Panels, Road Cases, and Stop-Motion Animation provides a diverse range of interesting topics that appeal to a variety of audiences, and the in-depth coverage of the technical process behind these products is sure to captivate and inform viewers.