Unraveling the Puzzle: The Science Behind Jigsaw Puzzle Production

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In summary, jigsaw puzzles have become increasingly popular due to people being bored at home. A recent NY Times article explores the manufacturing process of these puzzles, which involves a complex die cutter that takes a long time to create and has limited uses. However, it is worth noting that an account is now required to view the article, as the rules have been changed.
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BillTre
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Apparently jigsaw puzzles are now very popular since many people are bored at home.
This is a nice NY Times article on how jigsaw puzzles are manufactured.
An image on cardboard is cut by a giant, very complex die cutter, which takes a long time to make and has only a limited number of uses.
 
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davenn said:
Sadly it requires creating an account to see the article
Really?
Didn't used to. They keep changing their rules!
Good to know.
 
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Possibly useful supplement to the NYTimes article:



 
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1. How are jigsaw puzzles designed?

Jigsaw puzzles are designed by artists or graphic designers who create an image or artwork on a computer program. They then use a specialized software to break the image into puzzle-shaped pieces.

2. What materials are used to make jigsaw puzzles?

Jigsaw puzzles are typically made from cardboard or wood. The cardboard is usually made from recycled paper while the wood is often sourced from sustainable forests. The puzzle pieces are then printed with non-toxic ink.

3. How are jigsaw puzzle pieces cut?

There are two main methods for cutting jigsaw puzzle pieces - die-cutting and laser-cutting. Die-cutting involves using a metal template to stamp out the puzzle pieces, while laser-cutting uses a laser to precisely cut the pieces. Both methods result in accurately shaped puzzle pieces.

4. How are the puzzle pieces sorted and packaged?

After the puzzle pieces are cut, they go through a sorting process where they are separated into different bags according to their shape and color. Then, the pieces are packaged with a reference image of the completed puzzle and a picture of the design on the box.

5. How long does it take to make a jigsaw puzzle?

The time it takes to make a jigsaw puzzle varies depending on the complexity and size of the puzzle. On average, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for the entire process, including design, cutting, sorting, and packaging.

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