All language subtitles for S17E04 - Corn Tortillas; Crankshafts & Camshafts; Bush Planes; Aluminum Bike Wheels (1080p AMZN WEB-DL x265 Garshasp)_track3_[eng]
Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:01,965 --> 00:00:04,965
--captions by vitac--
Www.Vitac.Com
2
00:00:04,965 --> 00:00:07,965
Captions paid for by
Discovery communications
3
00:00:53,241 --> 00:00:56,517
Narrator: the corn tortilla
Is the original flatbread
4
00:00:56,517 --> 00:00:58,103
Invented, legend has it,
5
00:00:58,103 --> 00:01:01,896
Thousands of years ago by a
Mayan peasant to feed his king.
6
00:01:01,896 --> 00:01:04,896
A royal appetite
May have been the inspiration
7
00:01:04,896 --> 00:01:06,724
For this unleavened creation,
8
00:01:06,724 --> 00:01:08,551
But it soon gained mass appeal
9
00:01:08,551 --> 00:01:11,379
And became a staple
Of the mexican diet.
10
00:01:15,448 --> 00:01:19,206
The corn tortilla has been
Popular for thousands of years.
11
00:01:19,206 --> 00:01:21,758
In the last century,
Demand has grown
12
00:01:21,758 --> 00:01:23,586
As people in many countries
13
00:01:23,586 --> 00:01:26,103
Acquire a taste
For tex-mex cuisine,
14
00:01:26,103 --> 00:01:29,551
Like tacos, enchiladas,
And nachos.
15
00:01:31,344 --> 00:01:34,620
Corn tortillas are now
Mass-produced in factories,
16
00:01:34,620 --> 00:01:37,655
And the process starts
With grade-"A" corn --
17
00:01:37,655 --> 00:01:40,344
Dehusked
And removed from the cob.
18
00:01:40,344 --> 00:01:42,896
There are millions of kernels
In one truckload.
19
00:01:42,896 --> 00:01:44,482
They unload onto an elevator
20
00:01:44,482 --> 00:01:48,206
That takes them several stories
Up to deposit them in a silo.
21
00:01:48,206 --> 00:01:49,448
They're stored here
22
00:01:49,448 --> 00:01:52,413
Until the factory is ready
To start production.
23
00:01:52,413 --> 00:01:56,206
They then spill out of the silo
And into big steel cooking vats.
24
00:01:59,827 --> 00:02:03,931
A worker adds water,
Completely immersing the corn.
25
00:02:03,931 --> 00:02:06,793
He activates a steam-injection
Heating system,
26
00:02:06,793 --> 00:02:08,551
And as the temperature rises,
27
00:02:08,551 --> 00:02:12,000
He tosses in numerous scoops
Of powdered limestone.
28
00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:13,620
It acts as a preservative
29
00:02:13,620 --> 00:02:16,241
And helps soften the kernels
During cooking.
30
00:02:16,241 --> 00:02:19,862
As they soften, the outer skin,
Or pericarp, loosens,
31
00:02:19,862 --> 00:02:23,758
Releasing starch
And creating a foamy effect.
32
00:02:23,758 --> 00:02:27,034
After 45 minutes,
They turn off the heat,
33
00:02:27,034 --> 00:02:29,620
And the corn steeps
For eight hours.
34
00:02:29,620 --> 00:02:32,620
With the kernels softened
Even more by the long soak,
35
00:02:32,620 --> 00:02:36,068
It's time to wash off
A lot of the loosened pericarp.
36
00:02:37,758 --> 00:02:41,137
A little pericarp
Still clings to the cooked corn,
37
00:02:41,137 --> 00:02:42,862
But that's part of the plan.
38
00:02:42,862 --> 00:02:44,758
It will act as a bonding agent
39
00:02:44,758 --> 00:02:47,206
When the corn
Is shaped into tortillas.
40
00:02:49,137 --> 00:02:51,827
The corn now funnels
Into a spiraling blade
41
00:02:51,827 --> 00:02:53,862
That delivers it to a grinder.
42
00:02:53,862 --> 00:02:55,931
They add water
And a preservative.
43
00:02:55,931 --> 00:02:59,724
The auger moves the ingredients
Between two volcanic stones
44
00:02:59,724 --> 00:03:02,758
That grind everything
Into a corn mash.
45
00:03:02,758 --> 00:03:06,620
The mash has a grainy texture
Similar to couscous.
46
00:03:06,620 --> 00:03:10,000
That changes when they press it
Through an extruder.
47
00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:14,000
The extruder kneads it
Into a dough called masa.
48
00:03:16,586 --> 00:03:20,551
As the masa exits the machine,
It's collected by a worker.
49
00:03:24,551 --> 00:03:28,413
He transfers the corn dough to
A machine called a pre-sheeter.
50
00:03:28,413 --> 00:03:31,241
Here, automated paddles
Push the masa
51
00:03:31,241 --> 00:03:33,310
Between two sets of rollers.
52
00:03:33,310 --> 00:03:37,137
The rollers press it
Into a thick sheet.
53
00:03:37,137 --> 00:03:39,620
The sheet of dough
Travels through another machine
54
00:03:39,620 --> 00:03:42,000
Called the sheeter cutter.
55
00:03:44,379 --> 00:03:48,241
In this machine, more rollers
Squeeze the dough paper-thin
56
00:03:48,241 --> 00:03:51,482
As a die cuts out
Round tortilla shapes.
57
00:03:52,965 --> 00:03:56,103
They roll and cut
84,000 tortillas an hour
58
00:03:56,103 --> 00:03:57,172
On the sheet cutter.
59
00:04:01,275 --> 00:04:03,448
Another big roller
Takes up the matrix
60
00:04:03,448 --> 00:04:05,724
To be reused
In the next batch of dough,
61
00:04:05,724 --> 00:04:09,137
As the cut tortillas
Head into the oven.
62
00:04:09,137 --> 00:04:12,758
Once inside, the tortillas
Zigzag back and forth
63
00:04:12,758 --> 00:04:15,137
On three tiers of conveyors.
64
00:04:15,137 --> 00:04:17,551
The lowest tier
Has the lowest temperature,
65
00:04:17,551 --> 00:04:20,137
And the top tier, the highest.
66
00:04:20,137 --> 00:04:21,896
This three-tiered approach
67
00:04:21,896 --> 00:04:25,103
Gradually bakes the tortillas
In just 21 seconds,
68
00:04:25,103 --> 00:04:29,068
Producing corn tortillas
With just the right consistency.
69
00:04:29,068 --> 00:04:33,275
A vacuum system suctions the
Tortillas to the next conveyor
70
00:04:33,275 --> 00:04:35,482
To keep them from falling off,
71
00:04:35,482 --> 00:04:39,000
As they now head
To a cooling station.
72
00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:43,448
Here, the tortillas again move
To and fro --
73
00:04:43,448 --> 00:04:46,000
This time on nine conveyor tiers
To cool.
74
00:04:50,275 --> 00:04:52,689
From a handful of corn kernels
75
00:04:52,689 --> 00:04:54,896
To a piece of round
Unleavened bread,
76
00:04:54,896 --> 00:04:56,655
Once the corn has been cooked,
77
00:04:56,655 --> 00:04:59,827
The transformation happens
In just minutes.
78
00:05:01,827 --> 00:05:05,758
Whether the tortilla is made
From white corn, yellow corn,
79
00:05:05,758 --> 00:05:10,482
Or dyed other colors,
The taste will be much the same.
80
00:05:10,482 --> 00:05:14,275
Exiting the cooling zone,
The tortillas move into lanes.
81
00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:19,448
These lanes orient the tortillas
In single file
82
00:05:19,448 --> 00:05:22,206
So they land in slots
And stack up neatly.
83
00:05:22,206 --> 00:05:26,000
A sensor keeps a running count,
And when there's a pile of 40,
84
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:30,275
A trapdoor opens and sends them
To the packaging line.
85
00:05:30,275 --> 00:05:34,206
These tortillas are now ready
To add a little latin sizzle
86
00:05:34,206 --> 00:05:35,827
To the menu.
87
00:05:35,827 --> 00:05:37,931
Packaged in stacks of 80,
88
00:05:37,931 --> 00:05:41,862
They're headed for restaurants
And cafeterias --
89
00:05:41,862 --> 00:05:44,655
Fried, steamed,
Or just warmed in the oven.
90
00:05:44,655 --> 00:05:47,034
When they start adding
The fillings,
91
00:05:47,034 --> 00:05:48,689
Things could get spicy.
92
00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:04,310
Narrator: in every vehicle,
There are rotating shafts.
93
00:06:04,310 --> 00:06:06,586
The crankshaft converts
The pistons' vertical action
94
00:06:06,586 --> 00:06:10,241
Into the circular motion
That drives the wheels.
95
00:06:10,241 --> 00:06:13,103
At the same time,
The camshaft turns
96
00:06:13,103 --> 00:06:15,620
To open and close
Airflow valves.
97
00:06:15,620 --> 00:06:19,689
These precision parts are behind
Every successful start-up.
98
00:06:23,103 --> 00:06:25,172
Life on the road can be tough,
99
00:06:25,172 --> 00:06:27,206
And a good crankshaft
Has to keep on turning
100
00:06:27,206 --> 00:06:29,793
When the engine is under stress.
101
00:06:32,689 --> 00:06:35,793
The crankshaft starts
With a forged steel shape.
102
00:06:35,793 --> 00:06:38,689
A computerized blade
Shaves off excess metal
103
00:06:38,689 --> 00:06:40,724
From sections
Called counterweights.
104
00:06:40,724 --> 00:06:41,965
They offset the load
105
00:06:41,965 --> 00:06:44,344
Of the engine's pistons
And connecting rods,
106
00:06:44,344 --> 00:06:48,103
And this process slims them down
To create a balance.
107
00:06:48,103 --> 00:06:52,068
A computerized drill bores holes
Into one of the bearings
108
00:06:52,068 --> 00:06:54,689
To reduce the overall weight.
109
00:06:54,689 --> 00:06:57,172
Next a worker removes marks
110
00:06:57,172 --> 00:07:00,827
The computerized tools
Have left on the metal.
111
00:07:00,827 --> 00:07:04,310
He sands the entire crankshaft.
112
00:07:04,310 --> 00:07:06,206
The surface
Must be completely flawless
113
00:07:06,206 --> 00:07:08,000
For it to operate smoothly.
114
00:07:10,827 --> 00:07:13,448
Fine glass beads blast the part
115
00:07:13,448 --> 00:07:16,241
As it revolves
In a rotisserie-like device
116
00:07:16,241 --> 00:07:17,931
To knock off sharp edges
117
00:07:17,931 --> 00:07:21,931
And give the crankshaft
A consistent finish.
118
00:07:21,931 --> 00:07:24,344
The crankshaft
Then spins in a lathe,
119
00:07:24,344 --> 00:07:27,344
As a blade slices away
A precise amount of metal
120
00:07:27,344 --> 00:07:29,620
From each of the counterweights.
121
00:07:29,620 --> 00:07:31,689
This machining
Provides enough clearance
122
00:07:31,689 --> 00:07:35,034
For the engine's pistons
And rods to function.
123
00:07:38,275 --> 00:07:41,206
The crankshaft then takes
Another spin in a device
124
00:07:41,206 --> 00:07:44,137
That has sensors
To detect any imbalance.
125
00:07:44,137 --> 00:07:47,310
It calculates
That just over 29 grams of metal
126
00:07:47,310 --> 00:07:50,172
Still needs to be removed.
127
00:07:50,172 --> 00:07:52,241
Once the adjustment
Has been made,
128
00:07:52,241 --> 00:07:55,000
He measures the degree
Of straightness.
129
00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,620
If it's off even slightly,
130
00:07:56,620 --> 00:07:59,517
He corrects it by applying
Pressure with a press
131
00:07:59,517 --> 00:08:01,965
And tapping
A special radius chisel.
132
00:08:01,965 --> 00:08:05,827
He then measures again to
Confirm he's done an even job.
133
00:08:05,827 --> 00:08:07,965
On the left is a crankshaft
134
00:08:07,965 --> 00:08:09,827
That hasn't been balanced
Or straightened.
135
00:08:09,827 --> 00:08:14,172
On the right is one that has.
136
00:08:14,172 --> 00:08:17,379
Production now moves to the
Engine's other rotating shaft --
137
00:08:17,379 --> 00:08:18,896
The camshaft.
138
00:08:18,896 --> 00:08:22,862
Machining transforms a steel
Billet into the basic shape.
139
00:08:22,862 --> 00:08:24,413
Like the crankshaft,
140
00:08:24,413 --> 00:08:27,586
This camshaft will need
A lot of fine-tuning.
141
00:08:27,586 --> 00:08:28,931
An automated tool
142
00:08:28,931 --> 00:08:32,068
First etches the part number
And date onto one end,
143
00:08:32,068 --> 00:08:35,034
And then they get down
To the precision work.
144
00:08:35,034 --> 00:08:38,068
The camshaft must also
Be completely straight,
145
00:08:38,068 --> 00:08:41,586
So the technician measures it
From one end to the other
146
00:08:41,586 --> 00:08:44,896
And makes adjustments
Where needed.
147
00:08:44,896 --> 00:08:48,206
Next he selects a master
Template of a camshaft lobe
148
00:08:48,206 --> 00:08:51,034
And places it
In a grinding machine.
149
00:08:51,034 --> 00:08:56,344
This master is the pattern to be
Copied by a grinding wheel.
150
00:08:56,344 --> 00:09:00,758
Once it's been locked in place,
He activates the grinder.
151
00:09:00,758 --> 00:09:02,965
It carves into the camshaft
152
00:09:02,965 --> 00:09:06,000
As it rotates and rocks
Back and forth in the machine.
153
00:09:08,172 --> 00:09:10,931
The grinding wheel
Moves down the camshaft
154
00:09:10,931 --> 00:09:15,896
To shape all 16 lobes to the
Exact contours of the template.
155
00:09:17,965 --> 00:09:21,551
This is how the camshaft looked
Before the master grinding...
156
00:09:21,551 --> 00:09:24,655
And after.
157
00:09:24,655 --> 00:09:26,551
Next a computerized probe
158
00:09:26,551 --> 00:09:29,206
Measures the profile
Of each lobe
159
00:09:29,206 --> 00:09:33,344
And confirms that the dimensions
And lift are identical.
160
00:09:33,344 --> 00:09:36,448
At the next station,
The camshaft spins
161
00:09:36,448 --> 00:09:39,275
To allow a worker to completely
Coat the journal bearings
162
00:09:39,275 --> 00:09:40,517
With a blue dye.
163
00:09:40,517 --> 00:09:43,551
The dye masks the bearings
To keep them smooth
164
00:09:43,551 --> 00:09:47,000
While the rest of the camshaft
Is being parkerized.
165
00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,482
Parkerizing will give
The camshaft an etched finish,
166
00:09:50,482 --> 00:09:52,620
Which protects against wear.
167
00:09:52,620 --> 00:09:54,413
They start with a quick rinse.
168
00:09:54,413 --> 00:09:58,379
Then they plunge the camshafts
Into hot phosphorus acid.
169
00:09:58,379 --> 00:10:01,413
The acid
Microscopically etches the metal
170
00:10:01,413 --> 00:10:03,034
While other chemicals
In the bath
171
00:10:03,034 --> 00:10:05,000
Add a thin graphite coating.
172
00:10:06,517 --> 00:10:10,034
They rinse the residue.
173
00:10:10,034 --> 00:10:12,034
After the finish has dried,
174
00:10:12,034 --> 00:10:15,551
A worker buffs the journal
Bearings as the camshaft spins.
175
00:10:15,551 --> 00:10:20,448
This completely rubs off the
Blue dye and polishes the metal.
176
00:10:23,172 --> 00:10:26,482
He then wipes down the entire
Camshaft with a dry rag.
177
00:10:30,068 --> 00:10:33,448
He places the camshaft
On a perforated metal shelf
178
00:10:33,448 --> 00:10:35,482
And floods it with oil.
179
00:10:35,482 --> 00:10:39,000
Some oil drains away, but
A residue clings to the part,
180
00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,482
And that residue
Will prevent rusting.
181
00:10:44,655 --> 00:10:47,068
Once packaged,
This rotating shaft
182
00:10:47,068 --> 00:10:49,896
Is on its way to a garage
Or car factory,
183
00:10:49,896 --> 00:10:52,517
Where, ultimately,
It will do its part
184
00:10:52,517 --> 00:10:55,137
To help set
The wheels in motion.
185
00:11:08,689 --> 00:11:12,275
Narrator:
Bush planes are designed to fly
In and out of remote areas.
186
00:11:12,275 --> 00:11:14,793
They're engineered
To be able to take off and land
187
00:11:14,793 --> 00:11:16,620
On short runways.
188
00:11:16,620 --> 00:11:18,655
They can also be outfitted
With floats
189
00:11:18,655 --> 00:11:20,448
To be able to land on water
190
00:11:20,448 --> 00:11:22,206
Or skis to land on snow.
191
00:11:22,206 --> 00:11:23,965
Some are made of metal,
192
00:11:23,965 --> 00:11:26,793
And others of tube
And fabric construction.
193
00:11:30,620 --> 00:11:33,931
A bush plane starts out
As a design on paper.
194
00:11:33,931 --> 00:11:35,689
This company handcrafts
195
00:11:35,689 --> 00:11:38,000
Four-seater tube
And fabric models --
196
00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:40,586
The tubes forming
The airplane's skeleton,
197
00:11:40,586 --> 00:11:42,827
The fabric, its skin.
198
00:11:45,379 --> 00:11:48,724
Welders construct a tubular
Frame for the fuselage,
199
00:11:48,724 --> 00:11:50,344
The plane's main body.
200
00:11:50,344 --> 00:11:53,137
The tubes are chromoly,
A type of steel
201
00:11:53,137 --> 00:11:55,689
That contains chromium
And molybdenum,
202
00:11:55,689 --> 00:11:59,620
Which makes it stronger
Than standard steel.
203
00:11:59,620 --> 00:12:04,689
Machinists make the aluminum
Fuel-tank components...
204
00:12:04,689 --> 00:12:07,448
And prepare the landing gear.
205
00:12:07,448 --> 00:12:10,689
Here, they're threading
The axle for the tail wheel --
206
00:12:10,689 --> 00:12:12,896
A small, rugged wheel
At the back,
207
00:12:12,896 --> 00:12:15,931
Which helps steer the airplane
On the ground.
208
00:12:21,586 --> 00:12:24,413
The landing gear consists
Of this tail wheel
209
00:12:24,413 --> 00:12:27,103
And two bigger wheels
At the front.
210
00:12:27,103 --> 00:12:30,068
They all have large
Low-pressure tires,
211
00:12:30,068 --> 00:12:34,034
Which enable the plane to take
Off and land on rough terrain.
212
00:12:37,758 --> 00:12:41,172
Workers spray aluminum pieces
Called ribs and spars
213
00:12:41,172 --> 00:12:44,517
With anti-corrosion paint,
Then rivet them together
214
00:12:44,517 --> 00:12:47,689
To build the internal structure
Of the wings.
215
00:12:47,689 --> 00:12:51,827
Using a crimping tool, they make
Tiny indentations in the ribs
216
00:12:51,827 --> 00:12:53,862
To perfect the alignment.
217
00:12:53,862 --> 00:12:56,724
Then they rivet on a skin
Of aluminum panels,
218
00:12:56,724 --> 00:12:59,862
About 1/50 of an inch thick
In most areas.
219
00:12:59,862 --> 00:13:03,000
They construct the wing's
Hinged surface,
220
00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,517
The flaps,
And ailerons the same way.
221
00:13:06,517 --> 00:13:10,275
The factory's paint shop sprays
The wings, flaps, and ailerons
222
00:13:10,275 --> 00:13:12,827
With highly durable
Urethane paint,
223
00:13:12,827 --> 00:13:15,965
And the fuselage frame
With powder-coat paint,
224
00:13:15,965 --> 00:13:18,896
Which is then baked on
For extra durability.
225
00:13:18,896 --> 00:13:22,379
Now for the meticulous job
Of applying the fabric skin.
226
00:13:22,379 --> 00:13:25,206
The material
Is heat-shrinkable polyester,
227
00:13:25,206 --> 00:13:27,793
Commonly used
In the aircraft industry
228
00:13:27,793 --> 00:13:31,586
Because it's thin, lightweight,
And exceptionally strong.
229
00:13:31,586 --> 00:13:35,034
Workers brush an adhesive
Similar to contact cement
230
00:13:35,034 --> 00:13:36,482
Onto the painted tubing,
231
00:13:36,482 --> 00:13:38,551
Then adhere the fabric,
232
00:13:38,551 --> 00:13:41,655
Working around the frame
Section by section.
233
00:13:46,758 --> 00:13:49,551
Once the fuselage
Is completely covered,
234
00:13:49,551 --> 00:13:51,758
They run a hot iron
Over the fabric.
235
00:13:51,758 --> 00:13:54,620
This shrinks it taut
Around the framework.
236
00:13:54,620 --> 00:13:58,068
After letting the adhesive dry
For a couple of hours,
237
00:13:58,068 --> 00:13:59,620
They take strips of fabric,
238
00:13:59,620 --> 00:14:02,103
Coat them with
A urethane-based adhesive,
239
00:14:02,103 --> 00:14:04,034
And reinforce the seams.
240
00:14:08,275 --> 00:14:12,275
It's the same construction
Process for the tail components.
241
00:14:14,931 --> 00:14:18,137
At the front of the fuselage
Now, they install the pedals,
242
00:14:18,137 --> 00:14:20,724
Which control both the brakes
And the rudder,
243
00:14:20,724 --> 00:14:23,137
Which moves the tail
From right to left.
244
00:14:23,137 --> 00:14:25,275
Then the cockpit
Instrument panel,
245
00:14:25,275 --> 00:14:28,103
A thin sheet of aluminum
With laser-cut openings
246
00:14:28,103 --> 00:14:30,689
For all
The flight instrumentation.
247
00:14:30,689 --> 00:14:33,586
Next two linked control yokes.
248
00:14:33,586 --> 00:14:35,034
They move a series of chains,
249
00:14:35,034 --> 00:14:36,862
Which maneuver
Certain components
250
00:14:36,862 --> 00:14:39,793
Such as the aileron
Control sprockets.
251
00:14:41,758 --> 00:14:43,241
Mechanics ran the fuel lines
252
00:14:43,241 --> 00:14:45,862
And most of the wiring
Within the fuselage frame
253
00:14:45,862 --> 00:14:49,793
Prior to the fabric application.
254
00:14:49,793 --> 00:14:52,344
Now they install
A stainless-steel fire wall
255
00:14:52,344 --> 00:14:54,758
Between the cockpit
And the engine.
256
00:14:54,758 --> 00:14:57,758
This seals the cockpit
From engine heat, noise,
257
00:14:57,758 --> 00:15:00,275
And exhaust gases.
258
00:15:00,275 --> 00:15:04,275
After installing the landing
Gear, brakes, and windshield,
259
00:15:04,275 --> 00:15:08,896
Workers mount the engine
And exhaust system.
260
00:15:08,896 --> 00:15:12,655
Next the plane's
Aluminum propeller.
261
00:15:12,655 --> 00:15:15,482
Other workers are busy
Installing the fuel tanks
262
00:15:15,482 --> 00:15:17,620
Inside the wings.
263
00:15:17,620 --> 00:15:20,586
The fuselage now goes
To the paint shop.
264
00:15:20,586 --> 00:15:23,896
When it comes back,
Workers bolt on the wings,
265
00:15:23,896 --> 00:15:27,206
Supporting them from underneath
With steel wing struts.
266
00:15:27,206 --> 00:15:28,655
The wings on a bush plane
267
00:15:28,655 --> 00:15:31,965
Are positioned higher than those
On other types of aircraft
268
00:15:31,965 --> 00:15:35,689
To give the pilot
Better ground visibility.
269
00:15:35,689 --> 00:15:38,931
After rigging up
The flight controls
270
00:15:38,931 --> 00:15:42,758
And installing the interior
Trim, workers install the doors,
271
00:15:42,758 --> 00:15:46,620
Plexiglas windows,
And cockpit seating.
272
00:15:46,620 --> 00:15:49,241
Each bush plane is inspected
273
00:15:49,241 --> 00:15:51,793
At every stage
Of the production process.
274
00:15:51,793 --> 00:15:53,137
When it's completed,
275
00:15:53,137 --> 00:15:56,965
It undergoes a nose-to-tail
Final inspection.
276
00:15:56,965 --> 00:16:01,068
And then a company pilot
Takes it out for a test flight.
277
00:16:16,068 --> 00:16:18,862
Narrator: a serious cyclist
Won't pedal just any bike.
278
00:16:18,862 --> 00:16:22,862
It's got to have wheels made of
Strong-yet-lightweight material
279
00:16:22,862 --> 00:16:25,344
Such as carbon fiber
Or aluminum.
280
00:16:25,344 --> 00:16:28,655
Advanced bicycle wheels
Have tubing and spokes,
281
00:16:28,655 --> 00:16:31,379
Shaped as aerodynamically
As possible
282
00:16:31,379 --> 00:16:33,517
To lower wind resistance.
283
00:16:37,344 --> 00:16:40,655
These elite-level racing wheels
Are made of aluminum.
284
00:16:40,655 --> 00:16:43,448
They're designed
To generate a smooth ride
285
00:16:43,448 --> 00:16:47,448
With optimum responsiveness
To the rider's acceleration.
286
00:16:47,448 --> 00:16:49,206
The starting material --
287
00:16:49,206 --> 00:16:51,896
Long, straight tubes
Of extruded aluminum,
288
00:16:51,896 --> 00:16:55,241
Preshaped
With a wheel-rim profile.
289
00:16:55,241 --> 00:16:59,965
Workers load one extruded tube
At a time into a metal bender.
290
00:16:59,965 --> 00:17:02,758
The machine coils the tube
Around and around,
291
00:17:02,758 --> 00:17:05,310
Forming four connected rims.
292
00:17:13,586 --> 00:17:15,931
After measuring
To ensure the diameter
293
00:17:15,931 --> 00:17:17,793
Is exactly what it should be,
294
00:17:17,793 --> 00:17:21,448
They mount the coil tube
Onto a cutter.
295
00:17:21,448 --> 00:17:26,275
With a single downward slice,
It separates the four rims.
296
00:17:31,275 --> 00:17:33,793
They fuse the cut ends later on.
297
00:17:33,793 --> 00:17:38,103
First the rims need a bath
In a tank of acid.
298
00:17:38,103 --> 00:17:41,034
The acid removes dust
And other contaminants
299
00:17:41,034 --> 00:17:43,172
And etches the surface
Of the metal,
300
00:17:43,172 --> 00:17:45,482
Both of which help ensure
Full adhesion
301
00:17:45,482 --> 00:17:48,793
Of the anti-corrosion coating
They later apply.
302
00:17:48,793 --> 00:17:51,827
Next a multiphase
Heat-treatment process.
303
00:17:51,827 --> 00:17:54,758
This restructures
The aluminum molecules,
304
00:17:54,758 --> 00:17:57,655
Making the metal harder
And stronger.
305
00:17:57,655 --> 00:18:00,310
They join the two ends
Of the rim
306
00:18:00,310 --> 00:18:03,448
By riveting on
An aluminum connector tab.
307
00:18:03,448 --> 00:18:06,344
Then they weld the joint
To reinforce it.
308
00:18:10,206 --> 00:18:12,758
Using a sharp,
Vibrating cutting tool,
309
00:18:12,758 --> 00:18:15,758
A computer-guided machine
Smooths the weld line
310
00:18:15,758 --> 00:18:18,206
Until it's nearly invisible.
311
00:18:18,206 --> 00:18:21,103
This makes the rim
Appear seamless.
312
00:18:24,586 --> 00:18:27,137
Now for that
Anti-corrosion coating.
313
00:18:27,137 --> 00:18:29,586
The process
Is called anodization.
314
00:18:29,586 --> 00:18:32,034
In a tank,
They plate the aluminum
315
00:18:32,034 --> 00:18:33,517
With a protective chemical,
316
00:18:33,517 --> 00:18:34,931
Using an electrical charge
317
00:18:34,931 --> 00:18:37,517
To draw the coating particles
Onto the rim surface.
318
00:18:41,482 --> 00:18:44,482
For this model,
The anodized coating is black.
319
00:18:44,482 --> 00:18:48,724
However,
There are several color choices.
320
00:18:48,724 --> 00:18:50,586
Next a computer-guided machine
321
00:18:50,586 --> 00:18:53,448
Shaves off a minute amount
Of anodized metal
322
00:18:53,448 --> 00:18:55,931
From nearly a third
Of the rim surface.
323
00:18:55,931 --> 00:18:58,517
This creates a smooth,
Perfectly flat area
324
00:18:58,517 --> 00:19:02,517
For the brake pads to grip.
325
00:19:02,517 --> 00:19:04,344
The next computer-guided machine
326
00:19:04,344 --> 00:19:06,965
Drills holes
For the tiny aluminum nipples,
327
00:19:06,965 --> 00:19:09,724
Which hold the aluminum spokes
To the rim.
328
00:19:13,344 --> 00:19:15,482
Now it's time
To assemble the wheel --
329
00:19:15,482 --> 00:19:20,068
A manual task entrusted to
Specialized bicycle technicians,
330
00:19:20,068 --> 00:19:22,344
As it requires
A level of craftsmanship
331
00:19:22,344 --> 00:19:25,275
No machine can perform.
332
00:19:25,275 --> 00:19:28,344
The first technician
Inserts a spoke into each slot
333
00:19:28,344 --> 00:19:31,172
Of a carbon-fiber-and-aluminum
Flange --
334
00:19:31,172 --> 00:19:33,931
Part of the hub
At the center of the wheel.
335
00:19:33,931 --> 00:19:36,965
Once every spoke
Is in its respective spoke seat,
336
00:19:36,965 --> 00:19:39,448
As it's called,
337
00:19:39,448 --> 00:19:41,724
He sandwiches them
With a locking ring.
338
00:19:43,793 --> 00:19:45,931
Now for the rim end
Of the spokes.
339
00:19:45,931 --> 00:19:48,620
The next technician
Places a small steel plug
340
00:19:48,620 --> 00:19:52,068
Inside a spoke nipple
To make it magnetic.
341
00:19:55,655 --> 00:19:58,344
Then she puts the nipple
Into the rim,
342
00:19:58,344 --> 00:20:01,241
And, using a magnet,
Draws it to a spoke hole,
343
00:20:01,241 --> 00:20:04,413
Then through the hole
Toward the inside of the wheel.
344
00:20:04,413 --> 00:20:06,965
Then she removes the steel plug
345
00:20:06,965 --> 00:20:10,413
And inserts the free end
Of a spoke into the nipple.
346
00:20:15,827 --> 00:20:18,448
She repeats the procedure
For each spoke hole.
347
00:20:18,448 --> 00:20:20,896
This is known
As lacing the wheel.
348
00:20:27,482 --> 00:20:30,068
The next technician
Holds each spoke steady
349
00:20:30,068 --> 00:20:33,758
While tightening its nipple
With a spoke wrench.
350
00:20:33,758 --> 00:20:36,206
Tightening the nipple
Straightens the spoke.
351
00:20:36,206 --> 00:20:38,620
The process of perfectly
Aligning the wheel
352
00:20:38,620 --> 00:20:42,310
By straightening every spoke
Is called trueing the wheel.
353
00:20:42,310 --> 00:20:45,620
This gauge tells him
When the wheel is finally trued.
354
00:20:47,793 --> 00:20:49,620
For quality-control assurance,
355
00:20:49,620 --> 00:20:52,172
This robotic machine
Inspects each spoke
356
00:20:52,172 --> 00:20:55,689
And makes any necessary
Tensioning adjustments.
357
00:21:01,172 --> 00:21:04,103
Depending on the model,
A high-end bicycle wheel
358
00:21:04,103 --> 00:21:07,620
Can have anywhere
From 10 to 46 spokes.
359
00:21:07,620 --> 00:21:11,206
Different spokes
For different folks.
360
00:21:21,275 --> 00:21:23,689
If you have any comments
About the show,
361
00:21:23,689 --> 00:21:26,482
Or if you'd like to suggest
Topics for future shows,
362
00:21:26,482 --> 00:21:28,655
Drop us a line at...
29428
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.