DT

natural woods

comes from trees

Hardwoods

• from slow-growing trees (e.g. oak, mahogany) – strong, expensive.

Softwoods

from fast-growing trees (e.g. pine, cedar) – cheaper, easier to shape.

Manufactured Boards (Man-made):

MDF, plywood, chipboard – made by combining wood fibres or chips with glue. Useful for large, flat surfaces.

Extracted from ores (

 (rocks found underground).

Ferrous metals

contain iron (e.g. steel) – strong, but rust.

Non-ferrous metals

don’t contain iron (e.g. aluminium, copper) – lightweight, don’t rust.

Made from crude oil

(a non-renewable fossil fuel).

Thermoplastics

• can be melted and reshaped (e.g. acrylic, PET).

Thermosetting plastics

set hard when heated and cannot be reshaped (e.g. melamine).

Wasting Processes

These remove material to shape the product.

• Examples: sawing, drilling, filing, sanding.

Shaping Processes

Change the shape without removing material.

• Examples: bending, folding, vacuum forming.

Finishing

Improves the appearance and protects the material.

• Examples: painting, varnishing, sanding, polishing.

In Your Nameplate Project

• You may have:

• Used a saw (wasting)

• Filed edges (finishing)

• Painted/varnished (finishing)

• Used a laser cutter (precise shaping)

CAD

(Computer Aided Design)

CAM

Computer Aided Manufacture)

Vacuum Forming

• Used for moulding plastic sheets.

Paper:

thin, flexible (e.g. for labels).

Board:

• thicker (e.g. card, corrugated card) – used for packaging.

 logo

• A logo is a simple image/symbol used to represent a brand.

Branding

• Branding includes colours, fonts, slogans – used to make products appealing and recognisable.

Ways to Reduce Waste:

• Plan designs carefully using CAD.

• Use materials efficiently – avoid offcuts.

• Reuse and recycle materials where possible.

Sustainable Design:

• Use renewable or recyclable materials.

• Make products long-lasting.

• Reduce pollution and energy usage during manufacturing.

Natural Fibres

• Come from plants or animals: cotton, wool, silk.

• Biodegradable and breathable.

Synthetic Fibres

• Made from chemicals (usually oil-based): polyester, nylon.

• Strong, waterproof, but not biodegradable.

E-Textiles

• Fabrics that include electronic components like LEDs or sensors.

• Used in smart clothing, safety gear, and wearable tech.