About this season
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.
Episodes (5)
1. Pneumatics
Aired 30 March 2023 • 56 min
Basic principles of pneumatic cylinders, pressure and units, air compressors, regulators, valves, vacuum, and low pressure pneumatics.
2. Solenoids & Relays
Aired 6 April 2023 • 47 min
Explanations and demonstrations of uses of solenoids and relays
3. Hole Cutting
Aired 14 April 2023 • 59 min
Demonstrations and examples of various drilling and other hole cutting methods
4. PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers)
Aired 21 April 2023 • 50 min
Demonstrations and uses of programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
5. Gears
Aired 18 July 2025 • 51 min
All about gears