Assembly Line

Cutting and slitting

Blades, wires, lasers or water jets divide a big piece into many smaller ones.

222 lines that use it

Acrylic 5 stations · 5 raw sources Adhesive bandage 7 stations · 12 raw sources Airbag 8 stations · 25 raw sources Aluminum foil 5 stations · 6 raw sources Aluminum window frame 9 stations · 24 raw sources American football 7 stations · 18 raw sources Asphalt shingle 5 stations · 14 raw sources Backpack 6 stations · 16 raw sources Bacon 7 stations · 7 raw sources Baguette 7 stations · 11 raw sources Banknote 6 stations · 20 raw sources Baseball 7 stations · 22 raw sources Baseball bat 5 stations · 9 raw sources Baseball cap 6 stations · 12 raw sources Basketball 8 stations · 20 raw sources Beef jerky 6 stations · 8 raw sources Bicycle 8 stations · 26 raw sources Bike helmet 7 stations · 11 raw sources Board game 6 stations · 18 raw sources Bolt 6 stations · 13 raw sources Book 6 stations · 19 raw sources Bread 7 stations · 11 raw sources Brick 7 stations · 2 raw sources Button 8 stations · 8 raw sources Camera sensor 6 stations · 15 raw sources Candy cane 7 stations · 14 raw sources Canned soup 9 stations · 23 raw sources Canned tuna 7 stations · 19 raw sources Caramel 5 stations · 11 raw sources Cardboard 6 stations · 9 raw sources Cardboard box 5 stations · 17 raw sources Carpet 6 stations · 8 raw sources Cattle hide 5 stations Ceiling fan 8 stations · 28 raw sources Chain-link fence 8 stations · 15 raw sources Cheddar 9 stations · 3 raw sources Cheese 7 stations · 3 raw sources Chess set 9 stations · 13 raw sources Chewing gum 8 stations · 13 raw sources Chicken nuggets 7 stations · 15 raw sources Chopsticks 6 stations · 10 raw sources Clear adhesive tape 6 stations · 9 raw sources Clothespin 7 stations · 12 raw sources Coffee mug 8 stations · 2 raw sources Container ship 9 stations · 23 raw sources Copra 5 stations · 1 raw source Cotton candy 9 stations · 17 raw sources Cricket bat 7 stations · 9 raw sources Croissant 7 stations · 12 raw sources Curtains 8 stations · 9 raw sources Cut diamond 6 stations · 1 raw source Dental floss 7 stations · 12 raw sources Desk globe 6 stations · 15 raw sources Dice 7 stations · 21 raw sources Dishwasher 11 stations · 27 raw sources Disposable diaper 6 stations · 9 raw sources Double-glazed window 6 stations · 18 raw sources Dress shirt 7 stations · 12 raw sources Drill bit 7 stations · 15 raw sources Drumstick 8 stations · 8 raw sources Drywall 7 stations · 8 raw sources Duct tape 6 stations · 12 raw sources Dumbbell 8 stations · 20 raw sources Electric guitar 8 stations · 22 raw sources Electrical transformer 6 stations · 14 raw sources Envelope 6 stations · 18 raw sources Eraser 6 stations · 19 raw sources Eyeglass lens 6 stations · 13 raw sources Faucet 11 stations · 23 raw sources Fish sticks 6 stations · 20 raw sources Fishing rod 8 stations · 24 raw sources Flag 6 stations · 21 raw sources Flying disc 7 stations · 15 raw sources Fountain pen 6 stations · 20 raw sources Frozen french fries 7 stations · 7 raw sources Glass bottle 8 stations · 11 raw sources Glass jar 5 stations · 10 raw sources Glass marble 5 stations · 10 raw sources Golf club 10 stations · 27 raw sources Granite 3 stations Granite countertop 6 stations · 1 raw source Granola bar 6 stations · 4 raw sources Ham 6 stations · 7 raw sources Hammer 8 stations · 21 raw sources Hardwood flooring 6 stations · 7 raw sources Heart stent 6 stations · 15 raw sources High heels 8 stations · 23 raw sources Hiking boots 6 stations · 16 raw sources Hockey puck 8 stations · 5 raw sources Hoodie 6 stations · 9 raw sources Hook-and-loop fastener 5 stations · 5 raw sources Hot dog 7 stations · 7 raw sources Ice skates 8 stations · 22 raw sources Imitation crab 7 stations · 9 raw sources Inflatable pool toy 7 stations · 9 raw sources Instant noodles 7 stations · 13 raw sources Jarred salsa 9 stations · 25 raw sources Jeans 7 stations · 18 raw sources Kimchi 6 stations · 8 raw sources Kitchen sponge 7 stations · 13 raw sources Kite 10 stations · 14 raw sources LCD screen 6 stations · 19 raw sources Leather belt 10 stations · 28 raw sources Leather gloves 7 stations · 16 raw sources Leather handbag 6 stations · 20 raw sources Leather shoe 6 stations · 17 raw sources Leather wallet 10 stations · 15 raw sources LED 8 stations · 10 raw sources Leggings 8 stations · 11 raw sources Lithium-ion cell 10 stations · 23 raw sources Lumber 6 stations · 1 raw source Marble 3 stations Marshmallow 6 stations · 7 raw sources Match 5 stations · 9 raw sources MDF 7 stations · 8 raw sources Mica 3 stations Microchip 8 stations · 15 raw sources Mirror 5 stations · 28 raw sources Mozzarella 7 stations · 3 raw sources Nail 6 stations · 14 raw sources Newspaper 6 stations · 19 raw sources Olives 5 stations Onions 5 stations Paper 7 stations · 7 raw sources Paper bag 6 stations · 10 raw sources Paper cup 7 stations · 18 raw sources Paper straw 6 stations · 10 raw sources Paperclip 5 stations · 20 raw sources Parmesan 8 stations · 3 raw sources Pasta 7 stations · 2 raw sources Pencil 8 stations · 24 raw sources PET plastic 6 stations · 8 raw sources Petroleum coke 6 stations · 1 raw source Pillow 6 stations · 18 raw sources Plastic 5 stations · 3 raw sources Plastic straw 7 stations · 12 raw sources Plastic wrap 6 stations · 11 raw sources Playing cards 6 stations · 18 raw sources Polyester 6 stations · 8 raw sources Polyethylene 6 stations · 3 raw sources Polypropylene 5 stations · 3 raw sources Polyurethane 6 stations · 6 raw sources Popsicle stick 6 stations · 1 raw source Potato chips 7 stations · 10 raw sources Pressure cooker 8 stations · 18 raw sources PVC pipe 5 stations · 9 raw sources Railroad rail 9 stations · 12 raw sources Raincoat 7 stations · 17 raw sources Razor blade 6 stations · 16 raw sources Rebar 6 stations · 14 raw sources Rubber band 6 stations · 2 raw sources Rubber boots 6 stations · 9 raw sources Safety pin 9 stations · 21 raw sources Sanitary pad 7 stations · 10 raw sources Sauerkraut 6 stations · 12 raw sources Sausage 6 stations · 4 raw sources Saw blade 7 stations · 17 raw sources Saxophone 9 stations · 25 raw sources Screw 7 stations · 13 raw sources Sewing needle 8 stations · 16 raw sources Shoelace 5 stations · 12 raw sources Silicon wafer 6 stations · 8 raw sources Silk tie 7 stations · 10 raw sources Skateboard 8 stations · 22 raw sources Ski 8 stations · 24 raw sources Smartphone cover glass 5 stations · 12 raw sources Sneaker 6 stations · 13 raw sources Snowboard 10 stations · 23 raw sources Soccer ball 7 stations · 17 raw sources Sofa 7 stations · 17 raw sources Solar cell 5 stations · 15 raw sources Solar panel 11 stations · 21 raw sources Sprinkles 6 stations · 13 raw sources Stained glass 10 stations · 24 raw sources Stainless steel 7 stations · 15 raw sources Stainless steel fork 8 stations · 15 raw sources Stainless steel water bottle 7 stations · 25 raw sources Staple 6 stations · 14 raw sources Steel chain 7 stations · 12 raw sources Steel I-beam 6 stations · 12 raw sources Steel pipe 7 stations · 13 raw sources Steel scrap 5 stations · 3 raw sources Sticky notes 7 stations · 18 raw sources Styrofoam 5 stations · 4 raw sources Subway train 8 stations · 27 raw sources Sunglasses 9 stations · 15 raw sources Superabsorbent polymer 6 stations · 5 raw sources Surfboard 8 stations · 14 raw sources Swimsuit 9 stations · 11 raw sources T-shirt 6 stations · 17 raw sources Tailored suit 7 stations · 12 raw sources Teddy bear 6 stations · 8 raw sources Tennis ball 8 stations · 10 raw sources Tennis racket 9 stations · 25 raw sources Timber 5 stations Tin can 9 stations · 21 raw sources Tinplate 6 stations · 13 raw sources Toffee 9 stations · 25 raw sources Toilet 7 stations · 5 raw sources Toilet paper 6 stations · 9 raw sources Toothbrush 7 stations · 14 raw sources Toothpick 6 stations · 1 raw source Trading cards 6 stations · 17 raw sources Ukulele 9 stations · 11 raw sources Umbrella 8 stations · 19 raw sources Underwear 9 stations · 17 raw sources USB cable 9 stations · 22 raw sources Vinyl flooring 8 stations · 18 raw sources Vinyl record 9 stations · 24 raw sources Volleyball 5 stations · 14 raw sources Wet wipes 5 stations · 8 raw sources Wheelbarrow 9 stations · 23 raw sources Wheelchair 6 stations · 15 raw sources Whitefish 5 stations Window glass 7 stations · 13 raw sources Windshield 8 stations · 20 raw sources Wood pulp 6 stations · 6 raw sources Wooden spoon 5 stations · 7 raw sources Wrench 9 stations · 20 raw sources Yoga mat 6 stations · 9 raw sources Zip-top bag 6 stations · 17 raw sources Zipper 6 stations · 16 raw sources

What it looks like on the line

  • BaconSlice into rashers. High-speed slicers cut the bellies into thin strips, and the slices drop in overlapping rows onto paper.
  • ToothpickPeel a paper-thin sheet. The log is spun against a row of blades that unravel it into a continuous sheet about a millimeter thick, in the same way a paper towel unrolls.
  • ChopsticksCut the blanks. At the chopstick factory the blocks are sawn into long thin rectangles. A disposable blank is the width of a whole pair, with a groove along the middle that leaves the halves joined.
  • Glass jarShear off a gob. Molten glass runs from the furnace in a stream. Shears snip it into glowing lumps called gobs, each carrying the weight of one jar.
  • T-shirtCut out the panels. Blades cut layers of fabric into the front, back, sleeves and neck rib. The shape that gives the shirt its name is a T.
  • BicycleCut the frame tubes. Tubes are cut to length and mitered to fit one another. Many are butted, meaning the walls are thicker at the ends where the stress is highest.
  • Sticky notesStack and trim. Panels stack with their glue stripes lined up, so each sheet holds to the next, and trimming cuts the block into finished pads.
  • FaucetSaw the casts apart. Saws separate the joined bodies and take off parts needed only for casting. Sawing waste goes straight back into the furnace, and machining chips return to the brass supplier.
  • Leather walletDie-cut the pieces. Cutters read each skin for scars, insect bites and wrinkles, then place every part to dodge them or hide small flaws under a seam. A die in an arm press or bridge press stamps out the shape. Small parts are nested beside large ones, so only millimeters of scrap remain.
  • MicrochipSaw and wire up. The wafer is cut into individual dies. Each good die is connected to a package with fine aluminum or gold bond wires, or flipped over onto bumps, and tested again.
  • Silicon waferSaw the boule apart. The finished cylinder can reach two meters in length and weigh several hundred kilograms. A wire saw slices it into thin disks, and the quartz crucible is usually thrown away after one ingot.
  • PaperclipSnip each length. A cutter severs a length for one clip. In one patented Gem machine, the blade first cuts only partway so the wire stays gripped while the first loops form, then finishes the cut.