"How are building blocks made?"
This time, we'll give you a little glimpse into how Tsumikids building blocks are made!
Actually, making building blocks is more than just "cutting wood."
There are small, unseen innovations packed into them to ensure children can play comfortably and stack them together perfectly and smoothly.
This time, we're covering the initial process.
First, even out the thickness of the wood
The wood used for Tsumikids building blocks is primarily cypress and cedar.
In this video, we are processing the wood that will become the building blocks.
The first step is to even out the thickness of the wood.
▼Process of evening out the wood thickness
The wood is passed through a large machine, gradually evening out its thickness.
You might think, "Is it just about making them the same thickness?" but this is actually a very important step.
Even a slight difference in thickness can cause building blocks to shift when stacked, or prevent them from combining as intended.
There's a reason for the "perfect stacking"
Tsumikids building blocks are designed with a 4cm square base.
For example,
- Two triangular prisms combine to form a cube.
- Two cubes placed side-by-side are the same size as two rectangular prisms.
They are made so that different shapes align perfectly when combined.
This is why,
"They stack smoothly."
"They don't collapse easily."
"You can freely combine various shapes."
This leads to such ways of playing.
In fact, this concept is currently patent pending as **"Shape Alignment."**
While it's a detail not easily noticed, it's one of the innovations that makes playing more natural for children.
Next, cut to building block size!
The wood with even thickness then proceeds to the stage of cutting it to building block size.
▼Process of cutting wood to building block size
Here, the shapes gradually approach the characteristic sizes of Tsumikids.
Even in a process that seems like "just cutting wood," many careful considerations are hidden.
Look forward to the next factory tour!