The Secret Life of Components

Coinciding with the release of the remastered original episodes of The Secret Life Of Machines, Tim Hunkin began a self-produced spiritual successor called The Secret Life of Components. It explores some of the individual parts that so often make up the appliances and machines that were the focus of the original series. The weekly episodes included what Hunkin has learned through his experience with the component, along with many models for demonstration and examples from his amusement machines and other works.

Genre: Documentary,

Actor:

Creator: Tim Hunkin,

Country: United Kingdom,

Type: tv

Season: 3

Episode: N/A

Duration: N/A minutes

Release: 2021-03-03

Rating: 10

Season 1 - The Secret Life of Components
2021-03-03
Explores chains and belts, including demonstrations of different types of roller chain, round and toothed belts
2021-03-10
LED history, brightness and color, use in diorama, addressable LED strips, and power LEDs for home lighting
2021-03-17
An overview of different types of hinges and their usage around the home and in machinery.
2021-03-25
An overview on how electrical switches work, and how to use microswitches for sensing and power switching in projects.
2021-04-01
Explores springs, their manufacture, properties, and several different types of springs with their use cases
2021-04-08
A wide variety of connectors are shown and their operation explained, including their benefits, drawbacks and how they may be used in equipment
2021-04-15
Explores different types of glue, their properties and uses
2021-04-22
A wide variety of bearings, bushes, and races are explained with their uses and properties including materials and lubrication

Season 2 - The Secret Life of Components
2022-03-31
Explores use of various sensor and feedback devices.
2022-04-06
Explanations and demonstrations of levers, linkages, cranks, crankshafts, cams and capstans.
2022-04-14
Exploration of principles, properties and control of electric motors, particularly focussing on DC varieties.
2022-04-21
Creation, usage, and troubleshooting of varieties of screw threads.
2022-04-28
Principles and processes of using prototypes of various forms in the creation of a final work.

Season 3 - The Secret Life of Components
2023-03-30
Basic principles of pneumatic cylinders, pressure and units, air compressors, regulators, valves, vacuum, and low pressure pneumatics.
2023-04-06
Explanations and demonstrations of uses of solenoids and relays
2023-04-14
Demonstrations and examples of various drilling and other hole cutting methods
2023-04-21
Demonstrations and uses of programmable logic controllers (PLCs)