Master List of Virtual Tours
Virtual Tour Sites for Russell/Taylor, Operations Management, 7e
This list contains 144 virtual tour sites, which are only some of the many virtual company
tours available on the Internet. We have organized our list according to several different
industries and business categories, and for each site we provide a brief description of
what the company produces (if it’s not obvious), what kind of tour it is (i.e., video or
photos, narrated, etc.), how long it is (if it’s a video tour), and any special features of the
tour. Some of these tours are used specifically for the virtual tour question and answer
modules for each chapter. Click on an industry or topic, or browse through the document.
Baldrige National Quality Program
2009 Quest for Excellence Conference
(http://www.baldrige.nist.gov/Video/QEXXI/index.htm)
This site for the Baldrige National Quality Program includes 5 lengthy video
presentations from the 2009 Quest for Excellence Conference in Washington, D.C., by
leaders of recent Baldrige National Quality Award winners including Ritz Carlton Hotels,
Cargill Corn Milling Company, Iredell-Statesville (NC) Schools, Poudre Valley Health
System and MESA Products. Each video is between 25 to 35 minutes and describes how
these companies achieved the Baldrige Award.
Auto/Vehicle/Aircraft
Boeing ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Airplanes” from the “Products 1” page.
This video begins with a brief narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text and
then moves to a speeded up video of the complete production process for a Boeing 777
with background music (and no narration). The entire video is approximately seven
minutes. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t
have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to download.
BMW (http://www.bmwusfactory.com/#/home/)
This virtual tour of the BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina guides you through
the enormous factory through hot buttons on an aerial view of the plant. From the
opening page, click on Manufacturing on the bottom menu bar. The narrative and photos
include a production overview, the production process, building a better BMW, factory
products, our plant, and BMW worldwide. You can also choose a particular product on
the opening page to follow through the plant. Lots of good info on this tour. A great
actual site to visit, too.
Damon Motor Coach (http://www.damonrv.com/virtual_tours/welcome)
This tour encompasses 17 video segments showing the manufacturing process of a motor
home at Damon’s Elkhart, Indiana manufacturing facility. The videos are somewhat like
home movies showing each step of the manufacturing process.
Ferrari (http://www.motortrend.com/features/scenes/112_0406_bts_fer/)
This tour developed by Motor Trend magazine shows the steps in manufacturing a Ferrari
612 Scaglietti at Ferrrari’s Maranello, Italy factory. The tour consists of 7 pages of color
photos with accompanying descriptive text.
Ferrara Fire Trucks (http://www.ferrarafire.com/Media/Media.html)
This site for Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. provides a 10-minute narrated video tour of its
Louisiana fire truck plant, among other videos. The video does not provide a step-bystep description of the assembly process; rather it focuses on individual fire truck features
that are superior to competitors. The video focuses on the company’s modular design
process and their trucks’ quality, dependability and ease of service features.
Ford (http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Cars” from the “Products 1” page. This
video begins with a brief narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text and then
moves to a narrated video of the complete production process for a 1994 Ford Mustang.
Although the video is 10 years old it is still an excellent presentation of the basics of auto
manufacturing. The entire video covers the production process from the delivery of
rolled steel to the final car and is approximately nine minutes. This site was basically
designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection
the videos take a long time to download.
GE Jet Engines (http://www.geae.com/education/engines101/)
This is a very nice tutorial/tour about jet engines. The site is called “How Jet Engines
Work,” and it includes four segments – Jet Propulsion, Build a Jet Engine, Test Fly a Jet
Engine and Powered by GE Aircraft Engines. The tour includes excellent color graphics,
drag-and-drop features, animation and sound effects.
General Motors (http://www.michigan.gov/vtour/tourHome.html))
This is a graphic tour of the General Motors Lansing Plant. It shows the basic process
flow of manufacturing a car. The tour includes a color overhead drawing of the plant
which includes 3 main sections – body, paint and assembly. When you click on a
building/section there is a brief introductory video with narration of that process and then
additional text descriptions of the individual processes in that facility.
General Motors ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “More Cars” from the “Products 2” page.
This is an 18-minute video that is not narrated but has factory sound. It includes a series
of shorter titled videos that show different auto manufacturing processes at a GM plant as
cars proceed along the assembly line. Because of the length of the total video it takes
some time to download. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet
connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to
download.
Harley-Davidson ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. There are four Harley Davidson videos at this site. To get to the first two
videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link which activates a pop-up
window, then from the “Products 1” page click on “Motorcycles” or “Motorcycle
Engines.” The “Motorcycles” video begins with a brief narrated introduction with photos
and text and then moves to a speeded up video of the complete production process for a
motorcycle with background music (and no narration). The entire video is approximately
six minutes. The video for engines is also a speeded up video showing the complete
production of an engine and it is approximately 3 minutes. On the “Products 2” page
there are two additional video tours; one for “Motorcycle Side Cars” that is 5 minutes
long and another one for “Motorcycle Engines II” that is 3 minutes long. Both of these
videos are unnarrated with background music. This site was basically designed for highspeed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a
long time to download.
Honda Asimo (http://asimo.honda.com/InsideAsimo.aspx)
This site contains a series of animated videos demonstrating the form, function,
movement and intelligence of “Asimo,” the “world’s most advanced humanoid robot,”
developed by Honda.
John Deere ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Construction Equipment” from the
“Products 2” page. This 10-minute narrated video tour shows the manufacture of a John
Deere bulldozer tractor from the design stage to the final product. Employees narrate
different sections highlighting the manufacturing processes. This site was basically
designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection
the videos take a long time to download.
Morgan Motor Company (http://morgan-motor.co.uk/production/index.html#)
The Morgan Motor Company in the United Kingdom manufactures convertible sports
cars. This is a brief one minute video that shows various steps in the manufacturing
process. However, from this site you can purchase a full 55 minute factory tour on DVD
for 17 British pounds.
Porsche (http://www.porsche.com/uk/aboutporsche/virtualfactorytour/)
This site for Porsche includes two virtual factory tours – one for their plant at
Zuffenhausen, Germany and a second tour for their Leipzig plant. The StuttgartZuffenhausen plant tour is for the production of the Porsche 911 and the first link is to the
“layout plan.” It provides a separate page with photos that you access by clicking on the
arrows. It also includes text descriptions. The second part is a tour of the production
operations including the body shell assembly, paint shop, engine assembly, upholstery,
and vehicle assembly. Each page includes photos and detailed text descriptions that are
accessed by clicking on the arrows. The Leipzig tour is very similar except it is for the
Cayenne and Carrera GT.
Toyota (TMMK) (http://www.toyotageorgetown.com/vtour/high/trhigh01.asp)
This site for the Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky manufacturing facility includes a series
of narrated videos with descriptive text for all steps in Toyota’s manufacturing process.
It is a detailed presentation of auto manufacturing.
Volkswagen
(http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=7207&page_number
=1)
This tour, produced by car and driver magazine, is a detailed 15-page photo tour of
VW’s transparent final assembly factory in Dresden, Germany. The tour consists of
color photos of the factory with detailed text descriptions.
Workhorse Custom Chassis (http://www.workhorse.com/Default.aspx?tabid=116)
Workhorse Custom Chassis manufactures chassis for RVs, school buses, commercial
vans and motor homes at its Union City, Indiana plant. This virtual plant tour combines
animation, photos and text plus sound effects. The tour is conducted over an animated
assembly line that describes the 10-step manufacturing process. As an animated chassis
moves along the line at each stop a specific step in the production process is described
with text and photos.
Boats
Crownline Boats (http://www.crownline.com/aboutcrownline/tour/tour1.php)
Crownline manufactures fiberglass molded boats, from 18 footers to 31-foot cruisers, at
its West Frankfort, Illinois manufacturing plant. The tour includes various pages of
photos and text, each describing a step in the manufacturing process including molding,
coating, engine installation and finishing.
Folbot (http://folbot.com/plant-tour.html)
Folbot is a Charleston, South Carolina that manufactures foldable kayak boats. The tour
employs text and photos to describe the manufacturing process for a kayak.
Namura Shipbuilding (http://www.namura.co.jp/bt/index.html)
This site contains a video tour of the Namura shipbuilding facility in Imari City, Japan.
Namura makes tankers and bulk transport ships and other commercial vessels. The
shipyard tour is labeled “Backstage Tour” on the webpage.
Nautiques Boats (http://www.nautiques.com/about/factorytour/)
Correct Craft, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, Florida, manufactures Nautiques
fiberglass, gas inboard ski boats. This factory tour includes an 8 minute narrated video of
the product design (including the use of CAD) and manufacturing processes.
Ceramics/Glass/Pottery
Kokomo Opalescent Glass (http://www.kog.com/Tour/Tour1.html)
Kokomo Opalescent Glass makes colored glass like the kind that is used to make stained
glass windows. This tour of the Kokomo, Indiana plant includes 12 pages with text and
several photos on each page describing the glass production process.
Food Products and Beverages
Chocolate (http://www.fieldmuseum.org/Chocolate/making.html)
This site is for the field museum in Chicago and this tour provides a generic description
of growing cacao beans, harvesting the beans, and manufacturing chocolate. It includes
only text and photos.
Coca-Cola Bottling ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Bottling Drinks” from the “Products 1”
page. This 5 minute narrated video tour shows the bottling process for Sprite at the
Coca-Cola Bottling Company’s Bishopville, South Carolina plant. This site was
basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable
connection the videos take a long time to download.
Coca-Cola Indonesia
(http://www.coca-colabottling.co.id/eng/ourbusiness/index.php?act=virtualplant)
This plant tour is located at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company’s Indonesian site. It uses
animations, color graphics, video and text to show the eight-stage process for producing
and bottling Sprite.
Coors (http://www.coors.com/#/beer/2)
This tour includes 3 short videos about Coors history, the water and the barley.
Eli’s Cheesecakes (http://www.elicheesecake.com/virtualtour.aspx)
When you go to this site for Eli’s Cheesecake in Chicago click on the “Tour Eli’s” link
and from there you can link to the virtual tour. The brief tour is one page with text and
photos describing the process for making cheesecakes.
Flowers Foods
(http://flowersfoods.com/FFC_CompanyInfo/VirtualBakeryTour/index.cfm)
Flowers Foods headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia operates 39 bakeries and produces
bakery products like breads, roll, and buns. The virtual tour is a video.
Fortune Cookies (http://pbskids.org/rogers/picpic.html)
This narrated video is one of six on this PBS “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” site. It is a
very detailed narrated video about the manufacturing process for making fortune cookies.
Fudge House at Fisherman’s Wharf
(http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/fudgehouse.html)
This is a short factory tour of how fudge is made at the Fudge House at Fisherman’s
Wharf in San Francisco. The tour encompasses 3 pages with text and photos that
describe the steps in the fudge making process.
Glenfiddich Distillery (http://www.glenfiddich.us/distillery/craftsmanship/mashing-andfermentation.html)
This is a photo and text tour of the distilling process for single malt scotch whiskey that
includes “malt and fermentation, “distillation,” “coopering and maturation,” and
“marrying and bottling.” There is also a long video on the site home page about whiskey
tasting.
Hersheys (http://www.hersheys.com/discover/chocolate.asp)
Hershey’s provides an excellent factory tour of its chocolate manufacturing process. This
site actually contains two versions of the factory tour – one with text and photos (without
sound) and the other with videos and narration. Each tour follows a seven-step
manufacturing process from tropical jungles where cocoa beans are harvested to final
product distribution. The video version encompasses seven segments (each one to two
minuets in duration) describing the manufacturing process. The text version includes
photos that correspond to the videos.
Hersheys ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Chocolate” from the “Products 1” page.
This video begins with a brief narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text and
then moves to a narrated video of the complete production process for chocolate. The
video is approximately 5 minutes. This video is produced by the Chocolate
Manufacturers Association but it is very similar to the Hershey’s tour listed previously,
although it is more detailed. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet
connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to
download.
Jack Daniels (http://www.jackdaniels.com/TheDistillery/VirtualTour.aspx)
This is an excellent website with a sophisticated virtual tour of the whiskey distillery
process at Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The distillery tour is
narrated by a tour guide and includes 9 pages describing the distilling process from the
“rickyard” to the “barrel house.” Each page combines animation, photos, voice narration
and text to describe a process. Most pages also include a short one or two minute video.
Jelly Belly (http://www.jellybelly.com/Virtual_Tour/virtual_tour.aspx)
This site includes video segments for each of the nine steps in the production process for
Jelly Belly candy.
Jelly Belly ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Jelly Beans” from the “Products 1”
page. This video begins with a brief narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text
and then moves to a narrated video of the complete production process for a Jelly Belly
jelly bean. The video is approximately 6 minutes. This is a much more detailed tour than
the previous Jell Belly tour. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet
connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to
download.
Kendon Candies Lollipops (http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/kendon.html)
Kendon Candies located in San Jose, California is the world’s third largest producer of
lollipops. This site contains two factory tours. One is a short video of the lollipop
production process narrated by the company’s owner and head cook, Tom Kennedy. The
other tour contains much of the same information as the video, but it is static combining
text and photos.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/krispy-kreme.htm)
This a very good, detailed factory tour of how doughnuts are made at Krispy Kreme from
the “How Stuff Works” Internet web site. The tour encompasses 6 pages with a lot of
text, excellent photos and 4 videos for different processes including the proof box, frying
and flipping, glazing and filling.
Manischewitz Wines (http://www.manischewitzwine.com/heritage/tour.htm)
This tour of the Manischewitz Winery in Naples, New York includes 10 slides with text
descriptions of the steps in the wine-making process. Click on “Heritage” from the home
page.
Marshmallow Peeps (http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/)
Marshmallow Peeps are the brightly colored, marshmallow animals that you see
displayed prominently in stores around Easter-time. The “Factory Tour” is accessed
from the “About Peeps” drop down menu at the top of the home page. This brief photo
and text tour shows the six-step manufacturing process from mixing and whipping the
ingredients to packaging. Each step in the process is on a separate page with a single
photo and a written description. There is no sound or videos.
Marshmallow Peeps ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Candy Packaging” from the “Products
1” page. This is brief 2-minute narrated video showing how two candy products, “Hot
Tamales” and “Marshmallow Peeps” are packaged. This site was basically designed for
high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos
take a long time to download.
McCadam Cheese (http://www.mccadam.coop/tour.php)
This site contains a one-page text and photo tour of the McCadam Cheese plant in
Chateaugay, New York. It is accessed from the “Tour Our Plant” link at the top of the
home page. The brief factory tour encompasses the six-step cheese making process.
Michigan Sugar (http://www.michigansugar.com/)
This is a very detailed and well-done photo and text tour of the sugar production process.
It is accessed by clicking on the “About Us” link at the top of the home page and then
“Education” and then click on the “Educational Information” link. The “Growing Sugar
Beets” and “Production of Beet Sugar” links describe the sugar production process in
detail.
Norbest Turkeys (http://www.norbest.com/a_turkey_tour.cfm)
Norbest is a cooperative of turkey producers and processors headquartered in Midvale,
Utah. The tour accessed from the “About Us” drop down menu, includes 11 pages with
text and photos describing the turkey production process from the hatchery to final
packaging.
The Peanut Roaster (http://www.peanut.com/planttour.asp)
This site for the Henderson, North Carolina, company includes 9 photos with
accompanying text of the peanut production process.
Redhook Brewery (http://www.redhook.com/)
The Redhook Brewing Company has breweries in Woodinville, Washington and
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The factory tour is accessed by clicking on the “Our Ales”
link at the top of the home page and then clicking on “The Brewing Process” link. The
five-step brewing process is described with text and a short video segment for each of the
five steps.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (http://www.sierranevada.com/tour/introduction.html)
This tour includes 7 separate pages, each with a photo and text, describing the brewing
process at this Chico, California brewery.
Tootsie Rolls (http://www.tootsie.com/gal_tour.php)
This site contains seven Tootsie Roll video factory tours including Tootsie Rolls, Dots,
Tootsie Pops and other products. Each tour includes factory sounds and some have
narration.
Furniture
Statton Furniture (http://www.statton.com/FactoryTour_Administrative.php)
Statton is a Maryland company that makes fine solid cherry furniture. The plant tour is
made up exclusively of photos with written descriptions that describe the four main
furniture-making processes – rough mill and machining, assembly, finishing, and trim
line and shipping. There are approximately 35 photos showing the manufacturing
process.
Stickley Furniture (http://www.stickley.com/OurStickleyStory.cfm)
Stickley Furniture manufactures fine wood furniture in its New York factory near
Syracuse. On the home page click on “Our Stickley Story” to access the virtual tours.
There are links to two tours – a text and photo factory tour with 23 slides, and an 11minute narrated video tour. The text and photo factory tour includes 5 pages that
describe the furniture making process while the narrated video tour provides a detailed
look at Stickley products, its employees and the furniture making process.
particularly emphasized.
Quality is
Health Care
Poudre Valley Health System
(https://vic.pvhs.org/portal/page?_pageid=333,1481637&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTA
L&pagid=533)
Poudre Valley Health System (PVHS) is a 2008 recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award in the healthcare category. Headquartered in Fort Collins,
Colorado, PVHS is a private, not-for-profit healthcare organization that serves an area
encompassing 50,000 square miles that includes northern Colorado, Nebraska and
Wyoming. This is a fully narrated 6.5-minute video prepared for the Baldrige Award
presentation that describes both Poudre Valley Health System and its efforts to achieve
the award. Emphasis is on quality, efficiency, cost control, process improvement, and
patient and employee satisfaction.
Light Manufacturing
Advanced Micro Devices ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Semiconductors” from the “Products 2”
page. This 2-minute narrated video shows how semiconductors are produced in an
environmentally-controlled facility at AMD. This site was basically designed for highspeed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a
long time to download.
Beach Beat Surfboards (http://www.beachbeatsurfboards.co.uk/factory/index.html)
This is an interesting website with a virtual tour of Beach Beat’s surfboard manufacturing
facility in the village of St. Agnes, UK. The tour includes eight pages of photos with
descriptive text detailing the surfboard production process from shaping through
finishing. The site includes rock background music and also links to surfing videos and
photos.
Bic (http://www.bicworldusa.com/inter_us/site_map.asp)
This link takes you to the Bic site map. On the menu in the upper left corner click on the
individual products – stationary, lighters and shavers – the click on the “How it is Made”
link for each product. A tour shows a picture of the product, and when you place the
cursor on the product it breaks apart (using animation) into its component parts. As you
roll the cursor over the various parts a written description appears that describes the
production process for that specific part. The graphics and animation are excellent.
There is no sound, video or narration.
Cameron Hot Air Balloons (http://www.bized.co.uk/virtual/cb/welcome.htm)
This is a comprehensive tour of the Cameron Hot Air Balloon Company in Bristol,
United Kingdom. The factory tour takes you through production, design, marketing and
sales, accounts, and purchasing. Each of these stops includes a page with text and photos
describing the function or process. They include links to resource pages such as a more
in-depth explanation of the process. There is also a “virtual tour” that is an interactive
imaging photo tour of the Cameron plant. The site also includes a feature called “A Day
in the Life” which describes the activities of the accounts manager, marketing manager
and production manager. Overall this is a great site.
Clarion Bathware (http://www.clarionbathware.com/tour.html)
Clarion manufactures molded fiberglass tubs, showers, sinks, etc., at its Marble,
Pennsylvania production facility. The tour includes eight seven shorts narrated videos
that describe their products and the production process in detail.
Electric Pencil Sharpener
(http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objid=ENG4503)
This tour encompasses 60 color screens that you manually advance by clicking on an
arrow that shows the disassembly of an electric pencil sharpener. There is no descriptive
text.
Electrocoating (http://www.electrocoat.org/anatomy.html)
Electrocoating, or E-coat, is a wet paint process used on many products (or parts of
products) because of its unique ability to resist chipping, scratching, rusting, UV, and the
like. The electrocoat paint covers and protects the entire part or product so that even
corners, edges and recessed areas are completely protected. Approximately 99% of all
new cars manufactured are electrocoated then top coated with the color of choice.
Electrocoat primer is what protects a car from rusting. This tour, produced by the
Electrocoat Association, shows an animated flowchart of the electrocoating process.
When you move the cursor over different parts of the process a text description is
provided.
Friesens Book Division (http://www.friesens.com/Bookplant/PlantTour/BPTour.asp)
Friesens is located in Manitoba, Canada and produces all kinds of books (coffee table,
art, trade, cook, educational, etc.) for the North American market. The plant tour
includes 6 pages, each with multiple photos of the book manufacturing process plus
detailed text descriptions. Also included are separate links to more detailed aspects of the
production process including, customer service, paper stock, learning about printing and
various pieces of equipment. Friesens has ISO 9002 certification.
Honeywell (http://content.honeywell.com/sensing/solutions/markets/aobmrkt/vtour.stm)
This tour is of Honeywell’s automotive sensing and controls facility which makes speed
and position sensors for automobile engine management, wheel speed and transmission
control. The tour includes color slides with text descriptions of different stages and
processes in the overall manufacturing process. However, the tour is somewhat generic
in that it does not relate to the manufacture of a single product. It describes individual
processes like quality control, JIT, design, molding, etc.
National Cigar Corporation (http://www.broadleafcigars.com/tour.htm#9pics)
This Frankfort, Indiana company produces cigars for several national brands. The tour
consists of nine color photos with text descriptions of the cigar production process.
Ping Golf Equipment (http://www.ping.com/fitting/videos.aspx)
This video describes Ping’s software program for fitting individual clubs to customers,
which is interesting. There is also some interesting information and a separate page
about Ping’s ISO 9001 certification (http://www.ping.com/about/iso9001.aspx).
Ping Golf Equipment ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Golf Clubs” from the “Products 2”
page. This video begins with a brief narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text
and it then moves to a narrated video of part of the production process for golf clubs
called investment casting at Ping. The video is approximately 3 minutes. This site was
basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable
connection the videos take a long time to download.
Precision Technology, Inc. (http://www.pretechinc.com/PlantTour/index.html)
This Salt Lake City company manufactures custom printed circuit boards. The plant tour
consists of five photos and accompanying text.
Record Technology Inc. (http://www.recordtech.com/Tour.htm)
This Camarillo, California company manufacturers vinyl (music) records, which has
become almost a lost art with today’s digital music industry. The tour consists of 25
photos and brief descriptions of the steps in the vinyl record pressing process.
Segway Human Transporter (http://science.howstuffworks.com/ginger.htm)
This is a series of short written articles from the “How Stuff Works” Internet site
explaining how the Segway works. The articles include some diagrams. There are also
similar product “tours” in various categories at this site.
Thompson-Shore Books (http://www.thomsonshore.com/about_us/book_factory_tour/)
Thomson-Shore is a Michigan book manufacturer. This factory tour encompasses 1 page
with detailed text and photos describing the manufacturing process and the company’s
commitment to customer service and quality. There is no sound or videos.
Tom’s of Maine (http://www.tomsofmaine.com/video-catalog/videodetail.aspx?id=10&name=Touring%20Toms)
Tom’s of Maine makes toothpaste using natural ingredients. This short narrated video
factory tour is a condensed version of their in-house factory tour.
Village Hat Shop (http://www.villagehatshop.com/making-hats.html)
This tour at www.villagehatshop.com includes 24 color photos with accompanying text
that describes the various steps in making hats. This tour is not an ordered step-by-step
guide to hat making, but rather a variety of images that is meant to convey a general
sense of the hat making process.
Waterford Crystal
(http://www.waterfordcrystalvisitorcentre.com/factory_tour/default.asp)
This is an overview of several different processes in the manufacture of crystal products
at Waterford’s Waterford City plant in Ireland. It includes text and photos.
Zappos Online Shoes (http://www.zappos.com/warehouse_tour.html)
Zappos is an e-commerce company that sells shoes online. This is a tour of its warehouse
operation and it includes 12 photos and accompanying text.
Heavy Manufacturing
CalEnergy Generation (http://www.calenergy.com/aboutus4.aspx)
Geothermal power plants use the natural heat of the earth to generate electricity for
homes and businesses. Geothermal power is a renewable source of energy and does not
rely on coal or other fossil fuels to create electricity. This tour is conducted by clicking
on four different parts of an animated geothermal energy plant. Each part includes a brief
video.
C&R Manufacturing (http://forecast.umkc.edu/vtours/compback.htm)
C&R is a small, highly automated manufacturing company (i.e., job shop) near Kansas
City. The tour is broken down into 12 specific topic or functional areas, for example,
“What is a Job Shop?,” “Marketing,” “Human Resources,” and “ISO 9000 and Quality.”
Each topic (page) includes a detailed written description with examples of how this topic
or function relates to C&R. Each topic page includes several photos. There are no
videos, sound or animations.
ChemAlliance (http://www.chemalliance.org/tools/?subsec=10#)
ChemAlliance.org provides regulatory information for the chemical processes industry.
ChemAlliance is a source of up-to-date information concerning the environmental
regulations affecting the chemical industry. The ChemAlliance site is made possible in
large part due to funding provided by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency. The plant tour is conducted via a picture of a generic plant layout that shows the
basic steps in a chemical production process. By clicking on a specific step in the
process a text description is provided.
Constantia Multifilm Packaging (http://www.multifilm.com/our_capabilities.htm)
Multifilm Packaging located in Elgin, Illinois manufactures wrapping materials for the
food industry, primarily confectioneries. The tour is only one page with 8 photos and
text describing several different steps in the production process.
Flat Glass ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Glass” from the “Products 2” page.
This video begins with a narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text and it then
moves to a narrated video of the complete production process for flat glass that is
primarily used in buildings and cars. The video is produced by PPG and GMIC and is
approximately 8 minutes. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet
connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to
download.
Futaba Industrial (http://www.futabasangyo.com/en/d-c/index.html)
Futaba Industrial Company, Limited is a Japanese-based company that, among other
products, manufactures automobile parts (such as mufflers, bumpers, manifolds and
fenders) and office equipment (such as calculators and printers). This site contains links
to two virtual tours for its automobile parts factory in Kota, Japan and its office
equipment factory in Mitsumi, Japan. Both tours include photos and videos.
Glass Bottles ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Glass Bottles” from the “Products 1”
page. This video begins with a 4-minute narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and
text showing how a glass bottle is produced. It then moves to a narrated video of the
complete production process for a glass bottle provided by Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc.
The video is approximately 13 minutes. This site was basically designed for high-speed
Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long
time to download.
Great American Coil (http://www.greatamericancoil.com/virtual_plant_tour.htm)
Great American Coil, located in East (White Oak), Texas is a manufacturer of evaporator,
condenser, hot & chilled water, and low pressure steam (copper and aluminum) coils
used in air conditioners and heating units. The tour encompasses 5 pages for personnel,
components, assembly, testing and their new expander. Each page contains several color
photo and brief text descriptions.
LA Aluminum (http://www.laaluminum.com/la_aluminum_tour.html)
LA Aluminum, founded in Los Angeles, is now located in Hayden Lake, Idaho. It
manufactures mold aluminum castings that are used by its customers to make other
products. The tour includes two pages of text with photos of the production of aluminum
castings process.
Lehigh Southwest Cement Co.
(http://www.calaverascement.com/whats_new/redding.htm)
Lehigh Southwest Cement is headquartered in Concord, California, and is owned by the
German company, Heidelberg Cement, one of the largest cement companies in the world.
Lehigh operates two cement manufacturing plants in Redding and Tehachapi, California,
along with distribution terminals in Springfield, Oregon, Phoenix, Arizona, Sparks,
Nevada and Union City, California. The tour begins with a detailed numbered diagram
of the plant manufacturing process. Clicking on any of the 14 processes results in photos
and descriptive text.
Manufacturing Processes ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on the “Processes” page. This page includes
23 short narrated videos (mostly one to two minutes) of various manufacturing processes
such as die casting, blow molding, bending, forging, milling, turning, casting and
assembly. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you
don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to download.
Meier Tool and Engineering (http://www.meiertool.com/about-us/facility-tour.php)
Meier is a custom metal stamping company (i.e., tool and die shop) located in Anoka,
Minnesota. The tour includes 24 pages with brief text and color photos of various metal
stamping operations. Emphasis is on process control and inspection with some good
photos of CNC equipment and dies.
Nexus Plastics (http://www.nexusplastics.com/current/plant.htm)
This Hawthorne, New Jersey company manufactures various types of packaging
materials including sheeting, bag liners, foil bags, freezer bags and garment bags. The
plant tour at this site encompasses 9 stages in the production process with color photos
and text descriptions.
Paper Making (http://www.wipapercouncil.org/process.htm)
This is a generic tour of the paper making process produced by the Wisconsin Paper
Council. The tour encompasses the five-step paper making process including forestry,
debarking, pulp preparation, paper formation, and finishing. Each step is described on a
separate page with text and nice color drawings.
Plastic Bottles ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Plastic” from the “Products 1” page.
This tour begins with a brief narrated introduction and then moves to a narrated video of
the production process for a plastic bottle provided by the Society of Plastic Engineers.
The video is approximately 3 minutes. This site was basically designed for high-speed
Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long
time to download.
Plastic Caps ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Plastic Caps” from the “Products 1”
page. This tour begins with a narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text then
moves to a video showing how a plastic bottle is produced at Portola Packaging
Company in South Carolina. The video is approximately 7 minutes. This site was
basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable
connection the videos take a long time to download.
Portland Cement (http://www.cement.org/basics/images/flashtour.html)
This tour at the Portland Cement Association web site describes a six-step process for
making cement – 1. quarry; 2. proportioning, blending and grinding; 3. preheater tower;
4. kiln; 5. clinker cooler and finish grinding; and 6. bagging and shipping. Clicking on a
step accesses a window about that part of the process, which includes animations, sound
effects and a text description. The tour is self-directed.
RMC Lonestar Concrete
(http://www.michaelholigan.com/departments/tvshow/seg_index.asp?ts_id=5305)
This site includes a very well-done and detailed 7-minute narrated video showing the
production of Portland grade cement at the RMC Lonestar plant in California. The video
shows the complete manufacturing process for turning limestone into cement.
Steel ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Steel” from the “Products 2” page. This
video begins with a narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text and it then
moves to a narrated video of the complete steel production process. The video is
produced by Steelnet and is approximately 13 minutes. This site was basically designed
for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the
videos take a long time to download.
Steel
(http://www.steeluniversity.org/content/html/eng/default.asp?catid=189&pageid=208127
2111)
This is a tour produced by the World Steel Association using text and video explaining
the steel manufacturing process in a virtual plant tour.
Stihl Power Equipment (http://www.stihl.com/werksfuehrung/default.htm)
This is a detailed tour of the manufacturing process for a Stihl chainsaw. The tour
includes color photos, descriptive text and videos at selected steps. The tour
encompasses seven segments – Engine Components, Engine Assembly, Guide Bar, Saw
Chains, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Machine Design and Plant Maintenance.
Triangle Brick (http://www.trianglebrick.com/about_tour.aspx)
The Triangle Brick Company is located in Durham, North Carolina. This tour can be
accessed from the Triangle Brick home page by clicking on the “Take a Virtual Tour”
link on the left side of the page. The tour is an excellent 5 minute, narrated color video
that includes all the stages of the manufacturing process from mining shale and clay to
delivery of the final product at home sites.
Tupperware ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Plastic Containers” from the “Products
1” page. This is a 5-minute video tour of the injection molding production process for
making Tupperware plastic containers at Tupperware’s Hemingway, South Carolina
plant. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t
have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to download.
U.S. Mint (http://www.usmint.gov/kids/index.cfm?fileContents=coinnews/preshow.cfm)
This is basically a kid’s site but the tour does briefly outline the six-step process for
making coins at the U.S. Mint. The tour includes six pages with text and animated
cartoons of the production steps.
Musical Instruments
Allen Organs (http://www.allenorgan.com/www/company/tour/index.html)
The tour is of Allen’s Macungie, Pennsylvania manufacturing plant where it produces all
of its organs. The tour consists of 14 pages of photos and text describing the steps in
organ production from initial woodworking through the construction and installation of
traditional organ components (such as pulls) plus modern electronic components, through
the finishing process.
Gibson Custom Guitars (http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Video/)
This is a very good brief (4-minute) narrated video of the manufacturing process of
Gibson guitars by skilled craftsmen in Bozeman, Montana.
Guitars (http://pbskids.org/rogers/picpic.html)
This narrated video is one of six on this PBS “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” site. It is a
very detailed narrated video about the manufacturing process for making guitars.
Powell Flutes (http://www.powellflutes.com/home/index.html)
At this site for Verne P. Powell Flutes located in Maynard, Massachusetts, click on
“Workshop” at the bottom of the page and then from the pop-up menu click on the
“Factory Tour” link. The visually attractive 6-minute video factory tour appears in a
separate window and includes animation, background flute music, and video with
interactive photos narrated by Powell employees. The tour encompasses 7 areas in the
production of flutes including parts, body making, steels, stringing keys, finishing, testing
and headjoints.
Rickenbacker Guitars (http://www.rickenbacker.com/)
Rickenbacker makes electric guitars primarily by hand at its plant in Santa Ana,
California. Click on the “Factory” link at the top of the page; the tour encompasses four
departments – wood shop, finishing, assembly, and acoustics - each with a separate page
with text and photos. Rickenbaker guitars have been used by many famous rock
musicians including the Beatles. There is also an interesting link to the history of electric
guitars.
Tacoma Guitars (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Features/Tacoma/tacoma01.html)
The Tacoma tour is by an independent group and it encompasses 3 pages with about 40
color photos on each page. Each photo is a thumbnail with a brief description. You can
enlarge the photos by clicking on the thumbnails.
Ukelele (http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111042/makinganukulelemenu.html)
This site includes 3 tours showing how different style ukeles are constructed. There are
no videos; only photos and text.
Yamaha Musical Instruments (http://www.yamaha.co.jp/edu/english/index.html)
This site includes tours of the manufacturing processes for five musical instruments –
trumpet, horn, saxophone, clarinet and flute. Each instrument has a separate tour. The
tours describe the steps in the manufacturing process in detail from the design stage to
final assembly and finishing, plus the mouthpieces. Each stage in the process has a
separate page with written descriptions, photos, drawings and animations. Each tour is
followed by a “question and answer” page abut the process. There is no sound or
narration.
Product Innovation/R&D
Bell Labs (http://www2.alcatel-lucent.com/blog/2009/09/video-a-tour-of-the-bell-labs/)
This site is the home page for Bell Labs. The link on this page is to six-minute a “Video
Tour of the Bell Labs.” There are also links to a number of other videos listed on the left
side of this page related to Alcatel-Lucent projects and products.
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC)
(http://www.pica.army.mil/PicatinnyPublic/organizations/ardec/baldrigeinfo.asp#Video)
ARDEC, is a 2007 recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the
nonprofit category, and the first Department of Defense organization to win the award.
ARDEC develops 90 percent of the Army’s armaments and ammunition including
warheads, explosives, firearms, battlefield sensors and advanced weaponry. This is a
fully narrated 12-minute video prepared for the Baldrige Award presentation that
describes both ARDEC and its efforts to achieve the award.
Scientific Management
Ford and Scientific Management (http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?ford-and-taylorscientific-management-edited=&i=OFBkbU5icWuRpcXREZEk)
This is an excellent 7:23 minute narrated video using historical films from the early
twentieth century showing the application of scientific management principles to the
development of the Ford assembly line. It includes extensive film footage of the Ford
manufacturing process of that time.
Services
Centropolis FX (http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/cfx1.htm)
Centropolis FX (CFX) creates computer-generated (digital) visual effects for Hollywood
movies. This tour (at the “How Stuff Works” Internet Site) provides a detailed
description of how CFX creates visual effects. Included are written descriptions, photos
and video clips that show examples of its tools and techniques primarily from the movie
“The Patriot” with Mel Gibson. For example, it has several “before-and-after” videos
and a number of photos showing scenes as they were shot and then how they looked in
the movie after the visual effects had been added. Sections (pages) include an overview
of the visual effects process and the technology used. One interesting point is that it uses
Microsoft Project to build its extensive production schedule.
Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/extras/tie/virtualtour/)
This tour, called “A Day in the Life of a Newspaper,” describes the production process
for the Los Angeles Times. The tour has 7 steps including the story, digitizing, editing,
composing, printing, distribution and delivery. Each step has multiple pages with text
descriptions and photos. Some of the pages also have links to 360 degree photo images
of the manufacturing process. This is a well-done tour without sound and videos.
New York Stock Exchange
(http://www.nyse.com/tradingsolutions/connectmarkets/1226489148467.html?sa_campai
gn=/internal_ads/callouts/utp_video)
This site for the NYSE Euronext includes 3 videos about information technology that
drives the stock market. The first titled, “Overview” is 5 minutes; the second titled, “The
Universal trading Platform” is 9 minutes; and the third, “New Solutions for a Dynamic
Industry,” is 5 minutes.
Pal’s Sudden Service (http://www.palsweb.com/timeline.htm)
Pal’s Sudden Service is a 2001 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award winner in the
small business category. It is a privately owned, quick-service restaurant chain with 17
locations within 60 miles of Kingsport, Tennessee. It was the first restaurant to win the
Baldrige Award. This site is not an actual tour of one of Pal’s restaurants but an
interesting “timeline” that details the restaurant’s history from its start in 1951 to the
present. The timeline includes photos and text descriptions of the openings of all Pal
franchises and product introductions.
SRP Power (http://www.srpnet.com/education/tour/system/open1.swf)
SRP (Salt River Project) Power located in Arizona is the nation’s third largest public
utility providing electricity and water. The tour of an SRP power plant includes voice
narration, animation, sound effects, photos and text descriptions. The tour is divided into
3 sections – fuel, water and electricity. When you start one of the section tours a pop-up
window shows a series of photos. The window and the photos have loudspeaker icons
and by clicking on them you receive voice narration. When you click on an individual
photo it enlarges and there is also a loudspeaker icon that provides a more detailed voice
description of that process or facility. Pay close attention to the instructions on the
toolbar at the bottom of the pop-up window to navigate through the tour.
Textiles
Burlington (wool) ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Wool” from the “Products 1” page.
This video begins with a 4-minute narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text
showing how a wool fabric is produced. It then moves to a narrated video of the
complete production process for wool fabric at Burlington. The video is approximately
10 minutes. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you
don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to download.
Burlington (denim) ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Denim” from the “Products 1” page.
This video begins with a narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text showing
how cotton denim fabric is produced. It then moves to a narrated video of the complete
production process for denim fabric at Burlington. The video is approximately 8
minutes. This site was basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you
don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos take a long time to download.
Ferguson Irish Linens (http://www.fergusonsirishlinen.com/factorytour/index.asp#)
Thomas Ferguson Irish Linens is located in Banbridge in Northern Ireland. When you
open this site it is on the “Factory Tour” page; the link to the virtual tour is at the bottom
of the page. Clicking on the virtual tour link opens a window that includes 19 pages with
short text and photos describing the linen making process.
Jagger Spun Yarn (http://www.jaggeryarn.com/tour/)
Jagger Brothers is a worsted yarn producer located in Springvale, Maine. The factory
tour includes a series of photos with accompanying text descriptions of the yarn making
process.
Sneakers (http://pbskids.org/rogers/picpic.html)
This narrated video is one of six on this PBS “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” site. It is a
very detailed narrated video about the manufacturing process for making sneakers.
Universal T-Shirt Factory (http://www.simon.ca/tour.htm)
Universal is a Quebec company that custom prints t-shirts; it doesn’t actually make the tshirts, it prints blank shirts. The factory tour is a brief, one-page text description of the
steps involved in designing and printing t-shirts. There are 13 black and white and color
photos.
Toys
Balls (http://pbskids.org/rogers/picpic.html)
This narrated video is one of six on this PBS “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” site. It is a
very detailed narrated video about the manufacturing process for making balls.
Crayola Crayons
(http://www.crayola.com/factory/preview/factory_floor/crayon_mfg.htm)
This is a very short, one-page tour describing the 5-step process for making Crayola
Crayons. Each step from wax and pigment production to packaging has a brief text
description and photo.
Crayola Crayons ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Crayons” from the “Products 2” page.
This video begins with a brief narrated introduction with diagrams, photos and text and
it then moves to a narrated video of the complete production process for crayons at at
Crayola. The video is approximately 3 minutes. This site was basically designed for
high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable connection the videos
take a long time to download.
Crayons (http://pbskids.org/rogers/picpic.html)
This narrated video is one of six on this PBS “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” site. It is a
very detailed narrated video about the manufacturing process for making crayons.
Dolls ( http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/)
This video is from the “How Everyday Things are Made” Internet website developed by
the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) at Stanford University, which includes
a number of narrated video tours for different products and companies plus questions and
exercises. To get to the videos click on the “How Everyday Things Are Made” link
which activates a pop-up window, then click on “Playgrounds and Dolls” from the
“Products 2” page. This video begins with a brief narrated introduction with diagrams,
photos and text and it then moves to a narrated video of the rotational molding process
used to make plastic toys like dolls and playgrounds. The video is produced by the
Association of Rotational Molders and is approximately 6 minutes. This site was
basically designed for high-speed Internet connection; if you don’t have a DSL or cable
connection the videos take a long time to download.
Lego
(http://www.lego.com/plugin/required.asp?callFrom=&pluginType=0&returnURL=/eng/i
nfo/howLEGOismade.asp)
This is one of the neatest, hi-tech tour sites on the Internet. The factory tour encompasses
the 5-stage process for producing Legos – granules, molding, transport, decorating and
assembly, and packaging. Each stage has a separate page that incorporates animation,
animated text, sound effects and videos. The page opens with an animation of the stage
process with numbered icons that link to short videos of steps in the process.
Roundhouse Engines (http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/factory.htm)
The Roundhouse Engine Company makes toy locomotives at its factory in Doncaster,
England. The tour includes color photos with brief text descriptions of the manufacturing
process. The tour is a little tedious to navigate; after looking at one slide you must use
your back key to return to the home page and then click on the next slide to proceed
through the tour.
Wagons (http://pbskids.org/rogers/picpic.html)
This narrated video is one of six on this PBS “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” site. It is a
very detailed narrated video about the manufacturing process for making wagons.
Xootr Scooters (http://www.xootr.com/Merchant2/factoryTour/factoryTour.htm)
Xootr LLC in Scranton, Pennsylvania makes individual push scooters. To access the tour
click on the “About Us” link at the top of the home page, and then on this page click on
the “Xootr Factory Tour” link at the bottom. This tour begins with a process flow
diagram that includes product design and order processing as well as the manufacturing
and assembly process. To navigate the tour you must click on an individual process
which includes a color photo and text description, and then return to the process flow
diagram to go to the next stop on the tour.