GCSE Design Technology

What are common uses of Copier Paper?

Used for inkjet and laser printers to print from a computer

What are common uses of Beech?

Used for toys, cooking implements, solid and laminated furniture.

What are common uses of Aluminium?

Used for drink cans, kitchen utensils and some parts in transport.

What are common uses of Mild Steel?

Used for bike frames, car body panels and fixings (nuts, bolts, screws and nails)

What are common uses of Polyester Resin?

Used for boat hulls, sports car bodies.

What are common uses of Cotton?

Used for towels, denim, socks, underwear T-Shirts, bedding

What are Physical Properties of Copier Paper?

Thin, lightweight, bleached paper

What are Physical Properties of Beech?

Slight pink tint, close grain.

What are Physical Properties of Aluminium?

Light grey with a matt finish.

What are Physical Properties of Mild Steel?

An alloy that is grey and smooth, rusts if not protected.

What are Physical Properties of Polyester Resin?

A resin and a hardener, sets clear and smooth

What are Physical Properties of Cotton?

Grows on a cotton plant in a ball called a boll, fibres are combed and spun into a yarn

What are Working Properties of Copier Paper?

Takes colour well, readily available, can jam printer mechanisms.

What are Working Properties of Beech?

Tough, durable and smooth to finish

What are Working Properties of Aluminium?

Lightweight but strong and ductile

What are Working Properties of Mild Steel?

Ductile and tough, easy to form, braze and weld, versatile

What are Working Properties of Polyester Resin?

Strong, heat resistant and good insulator, used as waterproofing and for encapsulating items

What are Working Properties of Cotton?

Takes dye well, soft, strong, absorbent, recyclable, used in clothing.

Describe Animal Wool?

Spun from animal fleece such as sheep and alpacas.

What is Cotton?

Grows on a cotton plant in a ball called a boll, fibres are combed and spun into a yarn.

What are the properties of Cotton?

Takes dye well, soft, strong, absorbent, recyclable, used in clothing

What are the properties of Wool?

Can be fine or thick, soft or coarse, takes dye well, warm and crease-resistant, used in clothing and carpets

What are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Animal Wool?

ADV - Warm, absorbent, breathable, durable, repels rain, hangs well, creases drop out

DIS - Dries slowly, susceptible to moths, can feel itchy, washes poorly, can shrink, heavy when wet

What are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Cotton?

ADV - cool, absorbent, soft, resists abrasion, withstands frequent washing at high temps. Good drape, durable, doesn’t stain easily, static and cling resistant, can be ironed, good colour retention

DIS - Creases easily, burns, shrinks, dries slowly

What are the Properties of Cast Iron?

Brittle if thin, can be cast in a mould. Good in compression, self lubricating, magnetic. Dull grey, rusts easily.

What are some example uses if Cast Iron?

Used for vices, manhole covers, pans, machine parts – pillar drill base

What are the properties of Balsa?

Pale and wide-spaced grain due to it being a fast growing hardwood. Very soft, lightweight and easy to form

What are some example uses if Balsa?

Model making, primary school projects, surfboard cores

What is Biomass energy?

Biomass energy involves growing plants or using animal materials, not for consumptions but so they can be burned to produce heat. Plants such as rapeseed or willow are specifically grown as biomass crops so that they can be burned in a furnace

What is Biomass and how is it converted into energy?

Organic matter derived from organisms, such as wood and crops.

Can be used directly via combustion (of wood or biodegradable wastes) to produce heat or be converted to electricity

What are advantages and disadvantages of Biomass?

ADV - Waste from plants and farming can be used. • Clean, renewable energy source. • Replacement plants can be grown quickly to ensure a good supply. • The carbon dioxide that is released in the process can be reused by plants.

DIS - Creates atmospheric pollution when burned which contributes to global warming. • Land used for energy crops may be needed for other purposes such as agriculture. • Large areas of land are needed to cultivate crops.

What is Biodiesel and how is it converted into energy?

Made from natural elements such as plants, vegetables and fermented waste cooking oil.

Can be used in diesel-powered vehicles without modifying the engine.

What are advantages and disadvantages of Biodiesel?

ADV - Uses waste from plants and farming. • Does not give off harmful chemicals

DIS - Large areas needed to cultivate crops.

What are advantages of solar energy?

Clean, renewable energy source

Reduces household energy bills

What are disadvantages of solar energy?

Some people do not like the look of solar panels or feel that they spoil the appearance of a building

Costs a lot to install

Does not produce much electricity when there is considerable cloud cover, during the winter months or at night

What is solar power?

Solar panels are made from photovoltaic cells, which harness the Sun’s light energy and convert it into electricity. Solar power provides clean energy from a plentiful supply, but there is still considerable development work to be done to try and make solar panels more efficient. The placement of solar panels is also very important to ensure they track the path of the sun and harness the optimum amount of solar energy.

What are the 5 key points on Solar Cells?

Electronic device that can turn sunlight directly into electricity. • Contains 2 layers of silicon treated to allow electrons to flow when sunlight falls on them. • Provide free energy once initial costs are recovered. • Non-polluting. • Unsightly. Solar farms change the look of landscape

What are conductive inks?

Conductive inks are made from a precious metal, such as silver, which can make them expensive. They are available in pen form and can be used to draw circuit diagrams. When the ink dries a current is able to flow through the material

What are the applications of Conductive inks?

Drawing working circuits on polyester, polycarbonates and paper. • Improvising or repairing circuits on printed circuit boards (PCBs) • Printing RFID tags for tickets etc.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Conductive Inks?

ADV - Easy to use

• Lighter and more economical than traditional circuit boards. • Low waste

• Ink can be folded, so you can draw a circuit, fold the paper and unfold it to find the circuit still works.

DIS - Silver is expensive. • Difficult to get circuits right.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of CAD?

Advantages of CAD

Ideas can be drawn and developed quickly. Designs can be viewed from all angles and with a range of materials. Some testing and consumer feedback can be done before costly production takes place. It becomes easier to design and test a range of idea

Disadvantages of CAD

Expensive to set up. Needs a skilled workforce. Not easy to use if you haven’t be trained on how to use it. Difficult to keep up with constantly changing and improving technology. Computers can fail