DT - Core Technical Principles

How is section A - Core technical principles assessed

a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of knowledge

advantages of automation for industry

- improve efficiency
- fewer employees needed -> reduced human error

How can workplaces be improved

- organise layout of the building -> removes wasted time moving around
- new technologies, e.g. self cleaning windows save maintenance cost

advantages of efficient workflow

- more efficient manufacturing -> saves time, money and waste

How has design developing been made easier

- computer aided design
- computer aided testing
-> no physical models made -> saves time, money and waste

What is crowdfunding

- Designers pitch an idea and ask for investments.

how can crowdfunding help designers

- it raises awareness
- it raises money to finance their project

who is crowdfunding most useful to?

start-up businesses

what is virtual marketing and retail

advertising a product using popular websites. Sometimes influencers promote it through social media

advantages of virtual marketing

a wide range of people can be reached

what are co-operatives

groups of people with a common interest where everyone has an equal share and say in the business.

what is Fair Trade

a movement that gives people in developing countries equality.

how does fair trade help workers in developing countries

- giving a fair price for produce
- giving better protection of working and living environments

2 categories of resources

finite
non finite

finite resource properties

- not sustainable
- short supply

finite resource examples

- oil
- gas
- coal

non finite resource properties

- sustainable
- easily found
- can be regrown

non finite resource examples

- wood
- wool
- cotton

how can new and emerging technologies have an impact on the environment

- efficient working can reduce waste of time and resources
- new technologies can reduce pollution e.g. electric cars.

what is continuous improvement

when ongoing incremental improvements are made to a product / process

ways to reduce waste

- recycling schemes
- returning electronic products to companies for disposal
- creating products from re-usable / replaceable parts
- use of renewable power sources
- reducing amount of disposable products

what is life cycle assessment used for

analysing stages in a products life and its impact on the environment

what are the stages of LCA

- extraction and processing of raw materials
- manufacture and assembly
- transportation
- use
- disposal

how to improve negative impacts of raw material extraction

- using alternative materials and manufacturing processes

how to improve negative impacts of manufacture and assembly

- reducing parts
- alternative energy sources

how to improve negative impacts of transportation

- sourcing local materials
- relocating factories

how to improve negative impacts of disposal

- labelling for recycling

what is technology push

when a new technology is invented and then designers use it in a new product

how is technology push appealing to people

- it produces innovative products
- increases choice

examples of technology push

- Dyson developed the cyclone technology inside his vacuum cleaners, creating a bagless design

- touch screen technology was integrated into mobile phones

what is market pull

when consumers want new products so its developed. It is lead by consumer demand.

examples of market pull

- the culture of taking selfies lead to demand for smartphones with forward facing cameras

- the social pressure on companies to help the environment led to the development of biodegradable plastic bags.

what are the effects of more customer choice on the products they can buy

the market is more competitive so prices are lower

what is the effect of technological advancements on jobs

machines replace low-skilled workers

how would you avoid job loss from technological advancements

having transferable and adaptable skills

how do changes in fashion and trends affect industry

fashion constantly evolves, creating customer demand for new fashion styles

how do different faiths and beliefs affect design choices

designers are responsible for ensuring their product doesn't cause offence

give two examples of designs that were offensive

- Gucci's balaclava knit top was withdraw for causing offence due to its oversized lips and black colour, resembling a black face which has negative cultural significance to black communities.
- carries bags contain an animal fat which is made from boiled animal bones to prevent the bags from sticking. This causes offence to many different faiths and beliefs who avoid touching or using these products.

give 2 examples of designs being inclusive

- pushchair handles being adjustable for people of different heights
- clothes being available in a range of sizes

give an example of designs being accessible

door frames and entrances to public buildings being wheelchair friendly

how can causing harm to different religious groups be prevented

communication with them and considering their differing views on lifestyle, significant colours and important symbols.

give an example of a brand's product being offensive to a religious group

Umbro released trainers called Zyklon . The Nazis used Zyklon B when murdering millions of Jews in concentration camps. The trainers were quickly withdrawn.

give an example of a product that takes religious beliefs into consideration

the design of modest swimwear for Muslim women that enables them to swim while covering their body, respecting belief.

How have smartphones benefited society

it is much easier to communicate with people in different locations.

How have smartphones had a negative impact on society

people don't talk directly with each other as much

negative environmental impacts of the design and manufacturing process

time, resources and money can be wasted

how can continuous improvement help the environment

at every stage of the manufacturing process, people look for ways to improve it. This reduces waste and negative environmental impacts

examples of ways to improve work efficiency

- re-organise staff
- planning a production line so stages are next to one another to eliminate travel time
- locating factories close to the source of the material to reduce travel
- ordering correct amounts of material so waste is kept to a minimum

advantages of production line automation

- reduced human error
- reduced need for skilled manual labour

disadvantage of production line automation

- loss of jobs

What is CAD

Computer Aided Design
- programs that help the designer draw detailed designs

advantages of CAD

- Speed
- accuracy
- ease of editing
- transfer of CAD TO CAM
- storing and sharing the CAD design
- tests can be simulated
- models can be used to help market research

What is computer numerical control (CNC)

A program, converted from CAD files, which uses special codes to control CAM equipment

examples of CNC machines

- Laser cutting
- CNC lathe
- CNC milling machine
- CNC router
- CNC sewing machines

what are flexible manufacturing systems

a series of automated machines are used in the production of a product. the machines can be easily programmed to change the task they are doing, making the process flexible. robot arms are used as they are easily adapted

can can flexible manufacturing systems do

- restock shelves
- transfer and assemble parts
- manufacture parts
- check quality to reduce human error

what is just in time manufacturing

parts needed for manufacture arrive just as they are needed directly from the supplier

what does just in time manufacturing usually rely on

a close relationship with the supplier

just in time manufacturing advantages

- less storage space needed
- minimal waste because you only order what you need
- production runs can easily change to another product

just in time manufacturing disadvantages

- if there's a problem with the supplier, the process is delayed
- unexpected demand could lead to delays

what is lean manufacturing

making the most efficient and effective product, minimising waste in all aspects of the process

what does lean manufacturing include

efficient working
JIT manufacture
continuous improvement
quality assurance
feedback from consumer

Planned obsolescence

A product is designed to be no longer useful after a set period of time and to be required to be replaced.

Planned obsolescence advantages

- it earns the company more money.
- better products replace them
- sales are maintained

planned obsolescence disadvantages

It is bad for the environment as it makes more waste

how might planned obsolescence be achieved

- using materials that break down easily
- higher cost of repairing than replacement
- software incompatibility
- fashion changes

impact of social media in the environment

people have access to lots of information and awareness of the environment has increased. people are more aware of their effect on the environment.

impact of the environment on consumer demand

consumers realise their responsibility to reduce waste, leading to increased demand for environmentally friendly and second-hand products

how is nuclear power made

nuclear fission controls reactor heat.
uranium is needed

advantages of nuclear power

- clean
- efficient
- doesn't take up much space
- reliable source of energy
- reduces need for fossil fuels

disadvantages of nuclear power

- the waste produced is radioactive which lead to serious damage to the environment
- disastrous effect of explosion

types of renewable energy

wind
solar
tidal
hydro-electric
biomass

how is wind power made

wind turbines use a generator to convert movement from the wind into electricity

wind power disadvantages

- noise
- only works in windy conditions
- can harm wildlife
- ugly

how is solar power made

photovoltaic cells convert energy from the sun's rays into electricity

solar power disadvantages

- sunny conditions needed
- need to be angled towards sun

how is tidal power made

movement of turbines in water use a generator to convert movement from the tide into electricity

tidal power disadvantages

- expensive
- difficult to access
- disturbs wildlife

how is hydro electric power made

a reservoir is created with a dam. The dam controls the flow of water which turns turbines that use a generator to convert movement into electricity

hydro-electric power disadvantages

- disturbs wildlife and the environment
- expensive

how is biomass power made

waste material from animals and plants contain stored energy from the sun. biofuel is burnt to generate heat and power turbines that generate electricity

biomass disadvantages

- carbon emissions
- land needed for farming -> deforestation, high water usage

energy storage systems

kinetic pumped
batteries - alkaline, rechargeable

kinetic pumped storage systems

use energy from motion to make power. they have 2 reservoirs and a dam. when there is high demand, the dam is opened, moving water. when there is low demand, electricity is pumped back up

what are batteries

electrochemical cells that convert chemical energy into electricity

what are alkaline batteries

they work through the reaction of zinc and manganese oxide

alkaline battery properties

- single use
- recyclable
- long shelf life

advantages of rechargeable batteries

- while initial cost is higher, some can be recharged around 1000 times, saving money
- less waste in landfills
- less materials used in manufacturing

what is metal foam

metal containing pores filled with gas

metal foam properties

- physical properties of the metal
- much lighter

metal foam uses

- sound absorption
- impact absorption in cars

what is graphene

A single layer of graphite with cells in a hexagonal pattern

graphene properties

- very strong
- flexible
- transparent
- conducts heat and electricity

graphene uses

- biomedicine
- solar cells
- smartphones
- material coatings

nanoparticle size

1-100 nm

nanomaterial uses

- nanomaterial coatings for glass and fabrics can repel dirt and water, giving water resistance
- miniaturisation of electronics

What are smart materials

They have a property that changes in response to external stimulus. The change is reversible if the stimulus changes again.

smart material examples

- Shape memory alloy
- Thermochromic pigments
- photochromic pigments
- self-healing materials
- litmus paper

What do shape memory alloys do?

they change to their original shape when heated

What uses shape memory alloys?

spectacle frames - if accidentally bent, they can be heated and returned tp their original shape