2.5 Use of technology

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the use of technology in communication, design (CAD), manufacturing (CAM), and artificial intelligence based on the lecture notes.

Design proposal

A formal document or presentation that explains what you aim to create, how you plan to do it, what it will cost and why it is needed.

Instant messaging apps

Communication platforms that allow people to connect in real time globally via text, voice and video.

Email

Formal communication used for business, schools and workplaces that provides a written record and allows file attachments.

Social media

Platforms enabling networking, sharing news, professional networking and free marketing.

Video conferences

Platforms that allow users to meet remotely by video for webinars and meetings instead of using traditional phone lines.

Digital whiteboards

Technology tools used for mind-mapping ideas.

File sharing/cloud collaboration

Systems that allow multiple users to share documents and work on them in real time securely online.

Document collaboration

Technology that allows multiple users to edit documents and spreadsheets at the same time.

Project management tools

Tools used for setting deadlines, tracking progress and organising tasks.

Text messages (Advantage)

Offers speed, high interaction rates, convenience, and instant feedback for short design proposals.

Text messages (Disadvantage)

Can be misinterpreted, lacks professionalism, and offers limited space to share detailed designs.

Email (Advantage)

Professional, cost effective, and provides a written record of communication.

Email (Disadvantage)

Can be overlooked, has limited engagement, and may result in a delayed response.

Social media (Advantage)

Provides a wider reach, allows for networking opportunities, and can make work look more creative.

Social media (Disadvantage)

Risk of negative feedback which can damage reputations and a lack of professionalism.

Video conferencing (Advantage)

Allows for face-to-face interaction, real-time discussion, and saving of time and costs.

Video conferencing (Disadvantage)

Dependent on technology hardware, technical issues like poor connection, and time zone scheduling difficulties.

Document collaboration (Advantage)

Real-time collaboration makes teamwork faster and version control can track changes.

Document collaboration (Disadvantage)

Requires a stable internet connection and can cause confusion if there are too many edits.

Remote working software (Advantage)

Offers flexibility, increased productivity, and the ability to store work in one place.

Remote working software (Disadvantage)

Reduced personal connection, communication gaps, and software fatigue from switching between tools.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Software used by designers and engineers to create products on a computer instead of drawing them by hand.

Virtual Testing

Generating realistic images of a product to test performance, such as stress and strain, before building a physical sample.

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

The use of computers and machines to make products automatically from digital designs.

CAD (Advantage: Visualization)

Allows the designer to see a drawing from different angles by rotating and zooming.

Rendering

The process of making a CAD drawing look photo-realistic and in $3D$.

CAD (Disadvantage: Cost)

Requires powerful computers and expensive software licences to set up.

CAD (Disadvantage: Skill)

Requires time for training as some software is very complex and overwhelming for beginners.

CAM (Advantage: Accuracy)

Systems ensure high accuracy and repeatability, crucial for detailed graphic products like die-cut packaging.

CAM (Advantage: Speed)

Machines like CNC cutters, laser cutters, and digital printers work faster than manual methods.

CAM (Advantage: Scalability)

Once programmed, large quantities can be produced consistently, making it ideal for mass production.

CAM (Disadvantage: Setup)

Buying and setting up equipment can be expensive, especially for small businesses.

Two-dimensional (2D) CAD

Packages that allow users to produce accurately scaled, dimensioned technical drawings, logos, and packaging nets.

Three-dimensional (3D) CAD

Software for creating complex, virtual models of parts and products.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Computer technology concerned with making machines work in an intelligent way, similar to the human mind.

User Experience (UX)

Designing products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users by understanding their preferences and behavior.

User Interface (UI)

The visual and interactive elements of a product, such as colour, typography, and layout.

AI (Advantage: Efficiency)

Design tasks can be completed with speed using intelligent systems.

AI (Advantage: Decisions)

Data-informed decisions lead to more success in the outcome of a product.

AI (Disadvantage: Interaction)

Loss of human interaction when designing and making products.

AI (Disadvantage: Ethics)

Challenges where certain data used by tools may not have been agreed to be shared by people.

James Dyson

A British designer, engineer, and inventor who founded Dyson Ltd.

Dyson Ltd

A company famous for using technology and engineering to solve everyday problems, such as through robotic vacuum cleaners.

Digital design

The use of computers, graphics tablets and electronic devices to design and create products in a digital format.

Quality Control (QC) in CAD

Managing production schedules and controlling workflow through a factory to ensure goods meet right standards.

Version control

A feature of document collaboration that tracks changes made by different users.

Software fatigue

A disadvantage of remote working software caused by switching between too many tools.

CNC cutters

A type of machine used in CAM that works faster than manual methods to produce designs.

Graphic products

Items like packaging, signage, and promotional materials manufactured using CAM.

Remote design and manufacture example

A process where a book is written in the UK/Brunei/HK, edited in the UK, typeset in India, and manufactured in China.