Ep 17. Custom Running Shoes, Axes, Racing Karts, Animatronics

How It's Made season 7 episode 17 explores the manufacturing processes behind custom running shoes, axes, racing karts, and animatronics.

The first segment dives into the world of athletic footwear, highlighting how manufacturers create custom running shoes by using innovative design technologies. The show takes viewers inside a shoe factory, where actual athletes test and offer feedback on new shoes before they hit the market. Viewers will see the precise measurements and cutting-edge materials used to create running shoes that fit each individual athlete's foot and stride. Additionally, the segment explores how advanced design software can be combined with 3D printing to produce a perfect model of a shoe prototype.

Next up, the show takes viewers to a factory that produces axes. From the selection of materials to the final honing of the blade, viewers will see how a simple piece of metal is crafted into a tool that can be used for various applications. The episode details the shaping and tempering of the steel, as well as the creation of the axe handle. Through precise machinery and highly-trained craftsmen, viewers will see how each axe is built to withstand years of use.

The third segment highlights racing karts, a type of go-kart designed for high speeds and competitive racing. The episode outlines the design and construction of the karts, which require a high degree of engineering precision. Viewers will learn about the materials used to build the kart's frame, as well as the assembly of the steering and brake system. The episode also touches on how drivers customize their karts to suit their specific racing style, such as modifying the engine displacement and gear ratios.

Lastly, the show delves into animatronics, the field of engineering that creates lifelike robotic animals, humans, and other complex creatures. The episode details the inner workings of animatronics, starting with the creation of a skeleton to support the mechanisms. Viewers will see how controllers and motors are carefully mounted onto the skeleton to give animatronic creatures their fluid movements. The show also covers the use of advanced sensors, such as facial recognition software, that give animatronics their lifelike qualities.

Overall, How It's Made season 7 episode 17 offers an in-depth look at four vastly different manufacturing processes. From the creation of custom running shoes to the construction of animatronics that mimic real life, viewers will gain a deeper appreciation for the precision and technology that goes into building the things that we use every day.