Vocab Test- Engineering

Variation

Differences between objects of the same type, or a difference from a standard

Tolerance

Specifies an acceptable amount of variation/error in physical characteristic of an object such as size, feature location, surface roughness, or flatness

Unilateral tolerance

Provides an allowable variation in only one direction (either larger or smaller)

Bilateral tolerance

Permits variation in both directions from the specified dimension

Limit dimension

Provides an upper limit and lower limit for a dimension

Normal distribution

A symmetric, bell-shaped type of graph that is frequently used in statistics

Clearance fit

Limits the size of joining parts so that a clearance or space always results when joining parts are assembled

Interference fit

Fastening between two parts is achieved by friction after the parts are pushed together, rather than by any other means of fastening

Transition fit

When two joining parts can sometimes have a clearance fit and sometimes have an interference fit

Allowance

The minimum clearance or maximum interference between parts

Assembly

A group of parts that are connected and form one unit

Reverse engineering

A process that involves studying an object's visual, functional, and structural qualities

Ethics

Moral values that affect how a person thinks and behaves

Aesthetic

A term used to talk about beauty or art and people's appreciation of beautiful things

Visual analysis

The first step of the reverse engineering process, when an engineer studies the visual design principles and elements of a product

Functional analysis

The second step in the reverse engineering process, when an engineer describes what a product does, but not how it works

Structural analysis

The third step of the reverse engineering process, involving product disassembly

Material

Related to the qualities that give something its individuality and by which it can be categorized

Structure

How atoms or molecules are arranged together in a material

Product life cycle

Stages a product goes through, from concept to use to eventual disposal

Life cycle assessment

Measures how much energy is used to create a product, as well as the product's environmental impact

Raw materials

Any natural resource that is used to make a finished product

Inventory analysis

Inputs and outputs of a product's energy and materials from each step of the life cycles are calculated

Impact analysis

Values from an inventory analysis are added to represent the environmental impact

Improvement analysis

Used to determine methods to reduce the product's impact on the environment

Human-centered design

A creative problem-solving process that focuses on designing from the perspective of the people you are trying to reach

Biomimicry

Examines the models, systems, processes, and elements of nature to design solutions for human problems

Inspiration phase

The first phase of human-centered design, involving listening to people's hopes

Ideation phase

The second phase of human-centered design, when you build a prototype

Implementation phase

The third phase of human-centered design, when you determine how to market an idea