How It's Made Season 17 Episode 13 Wood Garage Doors, Sand and Salt Spreaders, and Animatronic Dinosaurs

How It's Made is back with a new episode in season 17, episode 13 that showcases how wood garage doors, sand and salt spreaders, and animatronic dinosaurs are made. This episode takes viewers on a fascinating journey from the creative design process to the intricate manufacturing of these iconic goods.

The first segment of the episode focuses on wood garage doors, which are a staple in most suburban homes. The episode starts with the design process, where a creative team sketches out various ideas and dimensions for the doors. Once the design is approved, the team moves on to the production process.

The first step is to source and cut the high-quality wood that will be used to make the doors. This wood undergoes several treatments, including drying in a kiln to remove moisture, to ensure that the final product is robust, durable, and can withstand harsh weather elements. Then, the wood is run through a series of machines, including a jointer, a planer, and a mortiser, to create the pieces that will be assembled into the door. The wood pieces are then glued together, sanded down, and painted in the desired color and finish.

The episode then moves on to sand and salt spreaders, which are crucial for clearing icy roads during the winter months. The segment starts with a detailed overview of the design process, before showing how the machines are assembled. The spreaders are built with high-quality steel and aluminum, and feature a conveyor belt mechanism that moves the salt or sand from the hopper to the spinning mechanism beneath the vehicle. The mechanism spreads the salt or sand in a uniform pattern, ensuring that the roads are safe for drivers and pedestrians.

Finally, the episode closes with a detailed look at how animatronic dinosaurs are made. Animatronic dinosaurs are a popular attraction at theme parks and museums worldwide. This segment of the episode starts with the design process, where scale drawings and computer-generated images are used to create a detailed blueprint of each dinosaur. The model makers then create a scale model of the dinosaur using clay or foam, and a mold is taken from this model to create the final animatronic figure.

The animatronic dinosaurs are built with steel frames that are then covered with foam. The foam is carved and shaped to create the texture and shape of the skin. Next, the animatronic mechanisms are installed, which allow the dinosaurs to move realistically. The dinosaurs are painted and carefully detailed to give a realistic appearance, from their eyes to their teeth and everything in between.

In conclusion, season 17, episode 13 of How It's Made is a must-watch for anyone interested in the process of creating everyday objects such as wood garage doors and sand and salt spreaders, to complex, lifelike animatronic dinosaurs. The episode takes viewers on a detailed journey of the design and production process of each item, showcasing the hard work and creativity required to bring these products to life.