Mar 18, 2016 7:00 AM

Gallery: How a Playmobil Factory Pumps Out 100 Million Tiny People a Year

Alastair Philip Wiper
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A machine resembling a sea monster draws plastic granules from the storage vats and sends them through the factory to the injection molding machines.
Alastair Philip Wiper
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Plastic granules.

Alastair Philip Wiper
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Giant vats hold the plastic granules.
Alastair Philip Wiper
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Workers dye white plastic granules for special colors. These trash cans hold the dyes.

Alastair Philip Wiper
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Thousands of hairless, disembodied, smiling heads.
Alastair Philip Wiper
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A top-down view shows legs being made in the injection molding machine.

Alastair Philip Wiper
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The factory floor is covered with injection molding machines.
Alastair Philip Wiper
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Small stamps affixed to the printer create patterns in clothing and other designs.

Alastair Philip Wiper
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Legs for "Swimmer" figures are processed to be joined together—left leg with right leg with swimming trunks.
Alastair Philip Wiper
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The printing area.

Alastair Philip Wiper
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Completed figures.
Alastair Philip Wiper
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A worker packages the figures.

Alastair Philip Wiper
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The corridors of the factory are lined with gray plastic tubs filled with arms and legs, categorized according to their kind.
Alastair Philip Wiper
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Boxes ready to be shipped

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