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--captions by vitac--
Www.Vitac.Com
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00:00:06,896 --> 00:00:09,896
Captions paid for by
Discovery communications
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Narrator:
Today on "How it's made"...
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00:00:52,793 --> 00:00:54,517
Narrator:
Controlled use of fire by humans
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Dates back
Several hundred thousand years,
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00:00:57,137 --> 00:01:01,379
But the invention of matches
Is fairly recent.
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00:01:01,379 --> 00:01:03,000
The first known use of matches
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00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,000
Dates back to the 5th century
In northern china.
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00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,206
And commercial safety matches
Were only invented
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00:01:08,206 --> 00:01:10,379
In the early 19th century.
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00:01:13,034 --> 00:01:14,482
You just need to rub
A match head
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00:01:14,482 --> 00:01:19,068
Against the striking strip
On the matchbox to start a fire.
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00:01:19,068 --> 00:01:22,551
Matches come in a variety
Of matchbox formats.
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00:01:25,275 --> 00:01:28,241
A linerboard paper roll
Feeds into a machine,
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00:01:28,241 --> 00:01:29,689
Passing under a hot iron
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00:01:29,689 --> 00:01:33,103
To reduce the moisture level
To 5% or 6%.
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00:01:34,448 --> 00:01:38,034
An automatic paper roll match
Inner box machine like this one
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00:01:38,034 --> 00:01:41,206
Can produce up
To 55,000 liners per hour
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00:01:41,206 --> 00:01:43,000
Through high-speed die cutting,
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00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,931
Folding, gluing, and forming.
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00:01:45,931 --> 00:01:49,758
The speed of the process
Depends on the inner box's size
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00:01:49,758 --> 00:01:51,551
And on the paper's density.
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00:01:55,793 --> 00:02:00,655
The machine shoots out
Formed inner boxes on a conveyor
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00:02:00,655 --> 00:02:03,137
At a dazzling rate
Of nearly 1,000 liners
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00:02:03,137 --> 00:02:04,896
Per minute.
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00:02:07,068 --> 00:02:09,448
The conveyor then
Drops the formed liners
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00:02:09,448 --> 00:02:13,241
Into storage bins.
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00:02:13,241 --> 00:02:17,034
An automatic sorting machine
Files the boxes in single rows
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00:02:17,034 --> 00:02:19,206
And arranges them upright
On the conveyors,
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00:02:19,206 --> 00:02:21,000
Feeding the filling machine.
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00:02:24,241 --> 00:02:27,034
In the meantime, a worker
Feeds precut inserts
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00:02:27,034 --> 00:02:30,206
To the outer box machine.
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00:02:30,206 --> 00:02:32,689
High-speed
Die creasing and cutting tools
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00:02:32,689 --> 00:02:36,310
Automatically fold the inserts.
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00:02:36,310 --> 00:02:38,551
As the folded liners
Run through the rollers,
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00:02:38,551 --> 00:02:41,689
The machine forms
And glues the box skillets.
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00:02:46,068 --> 00:02:50,068
Each insert
Has two striking strips.
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00:02:50,068 --> 00:02:51,586
In an industrial mixer,
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00:02:51,586 --> 00:02:56,379
A worker pours gelatin capsules
Over potassium chlorate.
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00:02:56,379 --> 00:02:59,965
Gelatin serves as a binder
For the match head compound.
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00:02:59,965 --> 00:03:01,689
The worker adds hot water
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00:03:01,689 --> 00:03:04,827
Before he starts the mixer
To dissolve the gelatin,
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00:03:04,827 --> 00:03:07,862
Which combines itself
With the potassium powder.
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00:03:07,862 --> 00:03:10,655
The worker then
Adds silica granules,
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00:03:10,655 --> 00:03:14,551
Which act as
A combustion-controlling agent.
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00:03:14,551 --> 00:03:17,068
He rinses the sides
Of the mixer with water
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00:03:17,068 --> 00:03:20,517
As the compound mixture reduces.
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00:03:20,517 --> 00:03:23,344
After about 40 minutes,
When the mixture is liquid,
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00:03:23,344 --> 00:03:26,896
The worker adds red coloring
As well as other compounds
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00:03:26,896 --> 00:03:31,206
That make the match head
Burn more vigorously.
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00:03:31,206 --> 00:03:34,310
On the splint production line,
A worker inspects a batch
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00:03:34,310 --> 00:03:36,448
Of splintered aspen wood
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00:03:36,448 --> 00:03:38,482
Impregnated
With ammonium phosphate
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00:03:38,482 --> 00:03:41,448
To prevent afterglow.
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00:03:41,448 --> 00:03:43,827
The splints
Run over perforated plates
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00:03:43,827 --> 00:03:47,310
To shake off
Any residue or waste.
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00:03:47,310 --> 00:03:48,758
Then, they go through a machine
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00:03:48,758 --> 00:03:53,827
Which automatically discards
Broken or undersized splints.
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00:03:53,827 --> 00:03:56,379
The splints now
Reach the match-dipping line,
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00:03:56,379 --> 00:04:01,655
Where the perforated steel match
Bar runs down an endless chain.
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00:04:01,655 --> 00:04:05,000
The automatic feeder inserts
Over 2 million splints per hour
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Into the sockets
Of the match bar.
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00:04:09,034 --> 00:04:13,413
The splints first get
A paraffin coating.
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00:04:13,413 --> 00:04:16,344
While a mixer keeps
The match head compound liquid,
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00:04:16,344 --> 00:04:17,586
The loaded match bar
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Lowers the splints
To dip their heads in.
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After 5 seconds,
The match bar moves back up.
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00:04:24,103 --> 00:04:25,758
And the head compound mixture
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00:04:25,758 --> 00:04:28,275
Flows down into the mixing pan
To be renewed
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00:04:28,275 --> 00:04:31,103
Before another section
Of the match bar moves in.
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00:04:34,068 --> 00:04:35,586
After dipping,
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00:04:35,586 --> 00:04:38,517
The splints keep rolling down
The match bar chain for drying.
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00:04:38,517 --> 00:04:42,034
The chain loops up and down
For about 1 hour,
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00:04:42,034 --> 00:04:43,793
Leaving
The match head compound time
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00:04:43,793 --> 00:04:47,827
To dry slowly and thoroughly.
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00:04:47,827 --> 00:04:49,310
Once the heads are dry,
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00:04:49,310 --> 00:04:51,896
The finished matches
Are ready for packaging.
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But first,
The filling machine routes
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00:04:58,068 --> 00:04:59,965
The outer and inner
Matchbox liners
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00:04:59,965 --> 00:05:03,172
Onto parallel conveyors.
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00:05:03,172 --> 00:05:04,586
On a high-speed line,
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00:05:04,586 --> 00:05:09,448
The machine can process
At least 500 boxes per minute.
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00:05:09,448 --> 00:05:12,896
The finished matches finally
Come off the match bar.
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00:05:12,896 --> 00:05:16,965
And the filling machine places
Them into the inside liner.
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00:05:16,965 --> 00:05:19,068
At this point,
The machine processes
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00:05:19,068 --> 00:05:22,862
About 200 matches per second.
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00:05:22,862 --> 00:05:25,034
The filling machine
Pushes the inner liner
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To the outer skillet.
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The machine is calibrated
To fill each box
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00:05:29,655 --> 00:05:31,275
With a set amount of matches
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And reject the extra ones.
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00:05:35,137 --> 00:05:38,034
Filled boxes come out
On a packaging conveyor.
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00:05:40,206 --> 00:05:42,172
You can find them
In small cartons,
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00:05:42,172 --> 00:05:45,586
Medium-sized packages,
Or heavy duty crates.
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But it takes just a single match
To light your fire.
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Narrator: a tillage machine is
A large tractor-pulled implement
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Which tills the soil.
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00:06:08,379 --> 00:06:11,931
Tillage can refer to deeply
Plowing the soil after a harvest
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00:06:11,931 --> 00:06:15,137
To break up clumps
And remove plant remains.
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00:06:15,137 --> 00:06:17,758
Or it can refer
To a shallow turning of soil
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To prepare the field
For planting.
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00:06:22,896 --> 00:06:26,758
This tillage machine
Is an agricultural multitasker.
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Its rotary disk blades
Turn the soil
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And chop up crop remnants.
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The harrow behind the blades
Rakes the soil.
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00:06:34,758 --> 00:06:38,586
Then, the rolling baskets
At the rear smooth and level it.
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00:06:38,586 --> 00:06:41,758
The machine can be fitted
With various blades designed
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00:06:41,758 --> 00:06:45,034
For different soil conditions
And crops.
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00:06:45,034 --> 00:06:47,068
The first machine
Flattens the curve
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00:06:47,068 --> 00:06:50,068
Out of a just-unwound sheet
Of steel.
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00:06:50,068 --> 00:06:53,000
Then, a press
Stamps the sheet with a die,
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00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:58,655
Cutting out circular blades
Each 4 1/2 feet in diameter.
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The steel is a proprietary
Formula engineered
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To withstand high abrasion
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00:07:03,448 --> 00:07:04,827
And to be flexible enough
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00:07:04,827 --> 00:07:09,758
Not to chip when the blades
Hit rocks in the soil.
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00:07:09,758 --> 00:07:12,551
After machining a sharp edge,
They heat the blades
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00:07:12,551 --> 00:07:13,931
And form them in a die,
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00:07:13,931 --> 00:07:17,379
Simultaneously
Quenching with water.
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00:07:17,379 --> 00:07:20,275
This tempers the steel
So that it holds the shape.
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00:07:22,310 --> 00:07:24,068
After cleaning,
The blades
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00:07:24,068 --> 00:07:26,241
Go through a vat
Of water-based paint,
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00:07:26,241 --> 00:07:28,689
Then a furnace
To cure the paint.
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00:07:28,689 --> 00:07:29,965
The paint coat is simply
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00:07:29,965 --> 00:07:32,586
To make the blades
Look snazzy in the showroom.
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00:07:32,586 --> 00:07:35,379
Once they actually hit the soil,
It wears off,
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00:07:35,379 --> 00:07:37,827
Which is intended,
As bare steel moves
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00:07:37,827 --> 00:07:41,620
Through the ground
More effectively.
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00:07:41,620 --> 00:07:44,068
Agricultural equipment plants
Like this one
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Purchase the blades to install
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00:07:45,793 --> 00:07:48,655
On the tillage machines
They manufacture.
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00:07:48,655 --> 00:07:50,758
This computer-guided
Plasma torch
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Cuts the flat components
Of the machine's frame
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00:07:53,448 --> 00:07:55,689
Out of a thick steel sheet.
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00:07:55,689 --> 00:07:58,103
Other parts are cut
From steel tubes.
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00:07:58,103 --> 00:08:00,344
Here, workers use a brake press
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00:08:00,344 --> 00:08:02,827
To punch holes
For assembly bolts.
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00:08:05,551 --> 00:08:07,551
Once all the frame parts
Are ready,
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00:08:07,551 --> 00:08:11,379
Workers weld them together
Into frame sections.
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00:08:11,379 --> 00:08:13,413
This is the main section.
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00:08:16,620 --> 00:08:18,793
Here, they're welding
A cut-tube part
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00:08:18,793 --> 00:08:21,172
To a pair of plasma-cut parts.
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00:08:27,586 --> 00:08:30,275
Once each frame
Section is welded,
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00:08:30,275 --> 00:08:31,931
It goes to the paint room,
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00:08:31,931 --> 00:08:34,241
Where workers
First sandblast the steel
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00:08:34,241 --> 00:08:37,448
To clean off lubricating oil
And other residues.
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00:08:40,793 --> 00:08:42,724
They spray on primer and paint
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00:08:42,724 --> 00:08:44,517
And put the frame section
In an oven
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00:08:44,517 --> 00:08:48,241
To simultaneously
Bake on both coats.
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00:08:48,241 --> 00:08:50,758
Given that tillage machine's
Work outdoors,
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00:08:50,758 --> 00:08:52,724
The paint is designed
To protect the steel
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00:08:52,724 --> 00:08:54,724
From sunlight and corrosion.
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00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,206
Next, they install
Hydraulic cylinders
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00:08:59,206 --> 00:09:00,413
On the main frame,
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00:09:00,413 --> 00:09:02,931
Attaching them
With large bolts secured
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00:09:02,931 --> 00:09:07,758
By washer-and-cotter-pin locking
Mechanisms.
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00:09:07,758 --> 00:09:09,655
The cylinders, made of a steel
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00:09:09,655 --> 00:09:12,620
That has anticorrosion chemicals
Baked into it,
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00:09:12,620 --> 00:09:14,413
Lift and fold
The tillage machine
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00:09:14,413 --> 00:09:18,000
Before and after use.
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00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,620
Workers pump hydraulic fluid
Through the cylinders
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To test them.
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00:09:25,689 --> 00:09:28,413
They bolt the other frame
Section, called the subframe,
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00:09:28,413 --> 00:09:30,379
To the front of the main frame.
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00:09:32,931 --> 00:09:34,655
Then, to the front
Of the subframe,
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They install a hitch.
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00:09:36,655 --> 00:09:38,448
This is what connects
The tillage machine
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To the tractor.
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00:09:40,827 --> 00:09:43,413
Not only does the hitch
Have to be exceptionally strong
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To withstand the pull
Of the tractor,
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00:09:45,620 --> 00:09:47,827
It must also be flexible
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00:09:47,827 --> 00:09:51,000
Because the tillage machine
Runs over bumpy terrain.
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For the same reason,
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00:09:54,586 --> 00:09:57,655
The main frame
Has two pivoting axles.
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00:09:57,655 --> 00:10:01,275
Workers install two wheels
With tires on each one.
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00:10:01,275 --> 00:10:04,517
These tires are 3 feet
In diameter.
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00:10:04,517 --> 00:10:06,551
Tires can be larger or smaller
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00:10:06,551 --> 00:10:09,103
Depending on the overall size
Of the machine
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00:10:09,103 --> 00:10:11,068
And where they're
Positioned on it.
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00:10:13,862 --> 00:10:15,379
Workers now mount the bracket
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00:10:15,379 --> 00:10:17,379
To which they'll
Attach the harrow.
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00:10:22,862 --> 00:10:24,689
Then, they install the harrow
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00:10:24,689 --> 00:10:26,793
And the rolling baskets
Behind it.
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00:10:30,827 --> 00:10:32,379
These and many other components
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00:10:32,379 --> 00:10:34,965
Are mounted
With sturdy steel u-bolts,
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00:10:34,965 --> 00:10:38,482
Plated with zinc
For corrosion resistance.
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00:10:40,758 --> 00:10:43,655
One last time, workers
Hook up the tillage machine
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00:10:43,655 --> 00:10:46,655
To a hydraulic fluid pump
For testing.
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00:10:46,655 --> 00:10:48,620
There are two
Hydraulic circuits,
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00:10:48,620 --> 00:10:51,137
Each activated by a lever.
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00:10:51,137 --> 00:10:53,379
One folds
Or unfolds the machine.
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00:10:53,379 --> 00:10:56,379
The other raises or lowers it.
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00:10:56,379 --> 00:11:00,103
This tillage machine is
An agricultural triple threat --
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00:11:00,103 --> 00:11:02,000
Blades to churn up the ground,
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00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,724
Harrow tines
To rake it
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00:11:03,724 --> 00:11:07,482
And heavy steel rolling baskets
To level the farming field.
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00:11:17,931 --> 00:11:21,034
Narrator: gangways bridge
The gap between ship and shore
198
00:11:21,034 --> 00:11:24,862
To allow passengers or cargo
To be loaded or unloaded.
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00:11:24,862 --> 00:11:27,000
They're also known
As gangplanks,
200
00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:28,379
Hearkening back to the days
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00:11:28,379 --> 00:11:31,206
When these bridges
Were simple wood planks.
202
00:11:31,206 --> 00:11:33,241
Today, telescopic gangways
203
00:11:33,241 --> 00:11:35,758
Extend and retract
Automatically.
204
00:11:38,482 --> 00:11:41,862
Telescopic gangways can extend
Their reach or shorten it
205
00:11:41,862 --> 00:11:43,758
And change the angle, too.
206
00:11:43,758 --> 00:11:47,689
They'll also fold up
For compact storage on the ship.
207
00:11:47,689 --> 00:11:49,172
These are gangways
208
00:11:49,172 --> 00:11:53,448
That can adjust
To different circumstances.
209
00:11:53,448 --> 00:11:55,758
Each model starts
With a computer design,
210
00:11:55,758 --> 00:12:02,517
One that takes an engineer
Up to 800 hours to devise.
211
00:12:02,517 --> 00:12:07,000
Once all the details have been
Worked out, production begins.
212
00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:08,793
Using a crane with air clamps,
213
00:12:08,793 --> 00:12:12,551
They transfer an aluminum plate
To a laser cutting station.
214
00:12:12,551 --> 00:12:15,758
The gangway design
Has been loaded into a computer
215
00:12:15,758 --> 00:12:16,931
That guides the tooling
216
00:12:16,931 --> 00:12:20,551
To cut out parts
According to the plan.
217
00:12:20,551 --> 00:12:22,689
In this case,
It cuts out a panel
218
00:12:22,689 --> 00:12:24,724
That will be made
Into a framework
219
00:12:24,724 --> 00:12:26,724
For one of the gangway planks.
220
00:12:30,448 --> 00:12:35,034
Workers then serve up the panel
To a computerized brake press.
221
00:12:35,034 --> 00:12:39,758
The press bears down on the part
To make 90-degree-angle bends.
222
00:12:39,758 --> 00:12:44,482
This transforms the flat panel
Into the plank framework.
223
00:12:44,482 --> 00:12:47,758
Next, tools carve
Thicker aluminum into hinges
224
00:12:47,758 --> 00:12:51,172
For raising and lowering
The gangway.
225
00:12:51,172 --> 00:12:55,103
A drill bores a hole
In each hinge for the pin.
226
00:12:55,103 --> 00:12:56,620
With another bit, the machine
227
00:12:56,620 --> 00:12:59,586
Sculpts a countersink profile
Around the hole.
228
00:13:01,689 --> 00:13:03,689
They're now ready
To assemble the hinges
229
00:13:03,689 --> 00:13:07,551
And other components
To the plank framework.
230
00:13:07,551 --> 00:13:11,551
A worker positions a reinforcing
Bracket on the framework.
231
00:13:11,551 --> 00:13:14,241
He clamps the bracket
To a hollow metal cube
232
00:13:14,241 --> 00:13:17,551
To keep it correctly aligned
To the framework.
233
00:13:17,551 --> 00:13:20,931
He welds the bracket
To the framework from the inside
234
00:13:20,931 --> 00:13:22,413
And then assembles
Another bracket
235
00:13:22,413 --> 00:13:25,862
To the other side.
236
00:13:25,862 --> 00:13:28,379
He slides a metal subfloor
Into the top grooves
237
00:13:28,379 --> 00:13:30,275
Of the gangway plank structure.
238
00:13:30,275 --> 00:13:33,172
This subfloor will support
Teakwood decking.
239
00:13:35,793 --> 00:13:38,137
He inserts flat bars
Between the framework
240
00:13:38,137 --> 00:13:39,482
And the subfloor
241
00:13:39,482 --> 00:13:43,034
To create a space for
The installation of the teak.
242
00:13:43,034 --> 00:13:45,344
He welds the rails
To the plank structure
243
00:13:45,344 --> 00:13:49,758
And then adds supports
For wheels.
244
00:13:49,758 --> 00:13:52,620
The thick welds
Look a bit unsightly.
245
00:13:52,620 --> 00:13:55,448
So a worker
Grinds the seams smooth.
246
00:13:58,034 --> 00:14:01,000
He also abrades
The entire metal structure
247
00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:04,137
To give it a brushed texture
That paint will adhere to.
248
00:14:07,620 --> 00:14:10,586
Painting is
An intensive process.
249
00:14:10,586 --> 00:14:13,655
They prime each gangway plank
Body three times
250
00:14:13,655 --> 00:14:15,517
With sandings in between.
251
00:14:18,724 --> 00:14:23,068
They also give the planks
Three coats of paint.
252
00:14:23,068 --> 00:14:25,620
This particular gangway
Is being custom-made
253
00:14:25,620 --> 00:14:27,344
For a luxury yacht.
254
00:14:31,172 --> 00:14:33,965
After assembling
The teak decking to the planks,
255
00:14:33,965 --> 00:14:37,275
A detail person
Sands the surface.
256
00:14:37,275 --> 00:14:39,758
This ensures that
The synthetic rubber caulking
257
00:14:39,758 --> 00:14:42,655
Between the planks
Is flush to the wood.
258
00:14:46,275 --> 00:14:48,413
He caulks the space
Between the decking
259
00:14:48,413 --> 00:14:51,896
And the metal plank structure
Using more synthetic rubber.
260
00:14:55,724 --> 00:14:58,551
With a putty knife,
He scrapes off the excess
261
00:14:58,551 --> 00:15:02,000
And forms a neat,
Concave profile.
262
00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,896
After a 24-hour cure,
He removes the tape
263
00:15:04,896 --> 00:15:06,413
That's protected
The metal frame
264
00:15:06,413 --> 00:15:09,068
And wood decking
During the caulking process.
265
00:15:11,827 --> 00:15:15,206
They're now ready to assemble
The planks into a gangway.
266
00:15:15,206 --> 00:15:18,241
They move the upside-down planks
Into position
267
00:15:18,241 --> 00:15:20,724
And then drive thick pins
Into the hinges
268
00:15:20,724 --> 00:15:23,000
To attach one plank to the next.
269
00:15:25,172 --> 00:15:27,275
He then installs
The hydraulic cylinder
270
00:15:27,275 --> 00:15:30,793
That powers
The folding mechanism.
271
00:15:30,793 --> 00:15:34,000
He links it to the hinges
With a long, thick pin.
272
00:15:36,724 --> 00:15:38,586
He equips one section
Of the gangway
273
00:15:38,586 --> 00:15:40,551
With telescoping hydraulics
274
00:15:40,551 --> 00:15:43,482
That allow the gangway
To extend and retract.
275
00:15:46,793 --> 00:15:49,068
He runs the hoses
For the hydraulic fluids
276
00:15:49,068 --> 00:15:51,241
Through the gangway
Into the cylinder.
277
00:15:51,241 --> 00:15:52,862
And he installs locking valves
278
00:15:52,862 --> 00:15:55,241
To ensure the cylinder
Stays in position
279
00:15:55,241 --> 00:15:57,275
When a load is applied.
280
00:15:57,275 --> 00:16:00,517
The gangway is now
Completely assembled.
281
00:16:00,517 --> 00:16:03,586
They secure one end
In a thick concrete fixture
282
00:16:03,586 --> 00:16:07,103
To simulate the weight
Of the yacht it's been made for.
283
00:16:07,103 --> 00:16:10,517
This allows them to fully test
The telescoping action
284
00:16:10,517 --> 00:16:12,931
And the load-bearing capacity.
285
00:16:12,931 --> 00:16:14,793
Seven months in the making,
286
00:16:14,793 --> 00:16:17,448
This gangway is now ready
To go to any length
287
00:16:17,448 --> 00:16:19,379
To link ship to shore.
288
00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:33,448
Narrator: a pearl forms
289
00:16:33,448 --> 00:16:36,793
When a foreign object enters
The shell of a living mollusk.
290
00:16:36,793 --> 00:16:39,275
To protect its soft body
From irritation,
291
00:16:39,275 --> 00:16:43,758
The animal coats the intruder
With layers of iridescent nacre.
292
00:16:43,758 --> 00:16:46,172
Most pearls today
Are cultured pearls.
293
00:16:46,172 --> 00:16:50,551
They can be round, oval or,
Like mabe pearls, semispherical.
294
00:16:53,137 --> 00:16:56,896
Pearl cultivation started
In 13th century china
295
00:16:56,896 --> 00:16:59,241
When people realized
They could put foreign objects
296
00:16:59,241 --> 00:17:00,482
Inside mollusks
297
00:17:00,482 --> 00:17:02,413
To encourage nacre growth.
298
00:17:04,896 --> 00:17:07,448
It's the mollusk's species
And its home waters
299
00:17:07,448 --> 00:17:10,931
That determine the pearl's shape
And color.
300
00:17:13,413 --> 00:17:17,172
Fake pearls have
An unnaturally smooth surface.
301
00:17:17,172 --> 00:17:20,896
Natural pearls are slightly
Gritty and very delicate.
302
00:17:20,896 --> 00:17:25,172
Even gentle rubbing can remove
The precious nacre layer.
303
00:17:25,172 --> 00:17:30,000
Mabe pearls are flat-bottomed,
Semispherical cultured pearls.
304
00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,862
They grow attached
To the inner shell
305
00:17:31,862 --> 00:17:33,172
Of a pearl oyster
306
00:17:33,172 --> 00:17:37,068
When a foreign object
Is implanted in a shell.
307
00:17:37,068 --> 00:17:42,310
In the nursery, oysters start
Their lives as tiny larvae.
308
00:17:42,310 --> 00:17:43,931
When the larvae are big enough,
309
00:17:43,931 --> 00:17:47,620
They can be released outside
In the pearl culturing farm.
310
00:17:47,620 --> 00:17:50,206
The farm is actually
A big raft structure
311
00:17:50,206 --> 00:17:53,241
That floats on the sea.
312
00:17:53,241 --> 00:17:55,620
Oyster larvae
Naturally attach themselves
313
00:17:55,620 --> 00:17:58,758
To natural
Or man-made structures,
314
00:17:58,758 --> 00:18:02,517
At which point
They start growing their shell.
315
00:18:02,517 --> 00:18:06,551
This net acts as a trap
For the developing oysters.
316
00:18:06,551 --> 00:18:09,310
Juveniles are moved
To underwater cages,
317
00:18:09,310 --> 00:18:12,344
Where they will grow
For several months.
318
00:18:12,344 --> 00:18:15,517
The oyster on the right
Is about 6 months old.
319
00:18:15,517 --> 00:18:18,137
In another 6 months,
It will be large enough to start
320
00:18:18,137 --> 00:18:23,137
Growing a pearl,
Suspended on ropes underwater.
321
00:18:23,137 --> 00:18:24,413
To grow a pearl,
322
00:18:24,413 --> 00:18:29,379
Each oyster must first
Receive a plastic nucleus.
323
00:18:29,379 --> 00:18:32,896
Workers use wedges and speculums
To keep the shells open
324
00:18:32,896 --> 00:18:34,862
As they work.
325
00:18:34,862 --> 00:18:37,379
They gently move the animal
To the side,
326
00:18:37,379 --> 00:18:41,103
Looking for a suitable position
For the nucleus implantation.
327
00:18:41,103 --> 00:18:45,896
The nucleus size depends
On the size of the oyster.
328
00:18:45,896 --> 00:18:48,275
Following implantation,
The oyster
329
00:18:48,275 --> 00:18:53,275
Will start secreting nacre
Over the surface of the nucleus.
330
00:18:53,275 --> 00:18:56,206
Workers drill a hole
In the oyster's hinge.
331
00:18:56,206 --> 00:18:58,655
This does not hurt the animal.
332
00:18:58,655 --> 00:19:02,758
They fasten each shell to a rope
Using stainless steel wire.
333
00:19:04,068 --> 00:19:07,172
Each rope holds between three
And five oysters.
334
00:19:10,413 --> 00:19:14,103
They fasten those ropes
To the raft structure.
335
00:19:14,103 --> 00:19:16,655
Oysters will spend at least
Another year underwater,
336
00:19:16,655 --> 00:19:19,517
Feeding on plankton
And growing the pearl.
337
00:19:21,551 --> 00:19:23,068
Every 2 or 3 months,
338
00:19:23,068 --> 00:19:26,931
They remove the oysters
From the water to clean them.
339
00:19:26,931 --> 00:19:30,586
Tropical waters are rich in food
And teeming with life.
340
00:19:30,586 --> 00:19:32,965
So each oyster
Becomes a microhabitat
341
00:19:32,965 --> 00:19:35,517
For smaller plants and animals.
342
00:19:35,517 --> 00:19:38,586
These organisms could prevent
The oyster shell
343
00:19:38,586 --> 00:19:42,103
From opening and closing freely,
Hampering its feeding.
344
00:19:44,620 --> 00:19:47,344
Using a cleaver knife,
They eliminate the thick crust
345
00:19:47,344 --> 00:19:50,827
Of sea moss, barnacles,
And other marine organisms.
346
00:19:52,827 --> 00:19:55,517
Once the oysters have grown
To a suitable size,
347
00:19:55,517 --> 00:19:59,103
It's time to harvest the pearls.
348
00:19:59,103 --> 00:20:02,241
Using a thin paring knife,
She opens the oysters
349
00:20:02,241 --> 00:20:06,344
And removes the animals
From their shells.
350
00:20:06,344 --> 00:20:10,448
Mabe pearls are most often used
In certain rings or earrings,
351
00:20:10,448 --> 00:20:14,275
Where their dome shape
Is desirable.
352
00:20:14,275 --> 00:20:15,551
Using a diamond saw,
353
00:20:15,551 --> 00:20:18,620
They cut the shell
Around the pearl.
354
00:20:18,620 --> 00:20:22,172
After cutting, the nucleus
Will be removed and replaced
355
00:20:22,172 --> 00:20:26,724
With a mixture of resin
To improve strength and luster.
356
00:20:26,724 --> 00:20:29,206
They use a grinding machine
To shape the pearl.
357
00:20:29,206 --> 00:20:34,172
Then, they polish it to enhance
Its natural beauty.
358
00:20:34,172 --> 00:20:36,413
Jewelers working with pearls
Arrange them
359
00:20:36,413 --> 00:20:40,275
According to size and quality.
360
00:20:40,275 --> 00:20:42,103
This artisan is creating a tiara
361
00:20:42,103 --> 00:20:45,586
For an international
Beauty pageant.
362
00:20:45,586 --> 00:20:48,620
She uses a magnifying glass
To control the quality
363
00:20:48,620 --> 00:20:52,655
Of the various gemstones
And pearls.
364
00:20:52,655 --> 00:20:54,103
For other jewelry pieces,
365
00:20:54,103 --> 00:20:59,586
They use spherical pearls,
Such as this south sea pearl.
366
00:20:59,586 --> 00:21:02,862
They insert a miniature screw
In the hole.
367
00:21:02,862 --> 00:21:06,344
That screw is endowed with
A proprietary double-lock system
368
00:21:06,344 --> 00:21:10,310
Which secures the pearl
In its setting.
369
00:21:10,310 --> 00:21:12,448
The pearl farmers
Have been growing pearls
370
00:21:12,448 --> 00:21:14,758
For three generations.
371
00:21:14,758 --> 00:21:17,931
Today, they farm
Three species of oysters
372
00:21:17,931 --> 00:21:22,275
And produce a total of about
25,000 pearls every year.
373
00:21:24,103 --> 00:21:27,241
Even though cultured pearls
Require human intervention,
374
00:21:27,241 --> 00:21:29,206
They are all real pearls.
375
00:21:29,206 --> 00:21:32,620
Their color, luster
And shape may vary slightly.
376
00:21:32,620 --> 00:21:36,517
But each pearl is unique
And naturally beautiful.
30297
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