(Image courtesy of Red Bull Racing.)
The precision of modern manufacturing makes it easy to overlook all the time and effort that goes into making the products that surround us. We used to be able to see the marks of human creation—unique imperfections which signified that something had been handmade.
Nowadays, one iPhone is practically identical to the next, and two vehicles made on the same assembly line are more or less indistinguishable. But the uniformity of manufactured products isn’t a strike against them. Indeed, it’s just the opposite.
At best, a sword made by a blacksmith in the middle ages was a testament to the skills of one or two individuals. In contrast, a car made today is a testament to the skills of hundreds, if not thousands of people—and therein lies the rub.
How do we give these people their due appreciation when there are so many of them?
These five videos offer a glimpse into the hidden world behind our manufactured products and the determination it takes to make them.
1) Time Lapse in Bourg-en-Bresse Manufacturing Plant
Some truly epic music accompanies this video showing the assembly of Renault trucks at the company’s Bourg-en-Bresse facility in France.
2) Time Lapse Footage of a MINI as it Goes Through Production Process
Although there’s no sound in this video, there’s something serene about watching the silent assembly of a car from the perspective of the production line. Of course, if you really need some accompaniment, try “Powerhouse” by Raymond Scott, aka “That song that always plays in Looney Tunes factories.”
3) British Airways – Building the 787-9 Dreamliner
Aerospace manufacturing is undeniably awe-inspiring, from the initial deliveries of principal components to the aircraft’s first flight, and all the steps in between. The sheer number of people involved is truly a sight to behold.
4) The Life of a Bolt
Narrowing the focus from an entire assembly to a single component, this video from Red Bull Racing takes you from design to production to testing to assembly, all from the perspective of RB12-FS-00663-02, a humble front suspension bolt.
5) Flight Displays: Built from Start to Finish
Between small parts, like a bolt, and final products, like a 787, lie assemblies such as the flight displays shown in this video from Rockwell Collins. The video begins with the delivery of the display components and ends with the completed displays being shipped, all in less than three minutes.
For more manufacturing videos, check out these 5 Automation Videos Under 5 Minutes You Need to Watch.