DT Midterm ‘25

define ergonomics

the science of how humans interact with objects

How may designers take ergonomics into account when designing products?

age and mobility, layers of clothing

define anthropometrics

measurement of the physical properties of the human body

name a product that takes into account ergonomics

HDPE's hydro grip bottle - loop shape for runners

What measurements may designers use when designing a desk setup?

height, weight, length, angle of reach, viewing distance and angle

How may designers take into account anthropometrics when designing products?

LEGO duplo is bigger so that children can't swallow smaller pieces

describe an anthropometrics chart

bell-shaped curve, 5th to 95th centiles

How may designers design hand held tools?

consider grip and muscle exertion, contouring of grip, longer handles distribute force, need to consider left handed people

name a product that is designed to accommodate for a large number of people

the Tripp Trapp chair is highly adjustable (leg rests and seat)

How may designers design prosthetics for disabled people?

body scanners and 3D printing for customised fit, lightweight/shock resistant materials

How could designers work for inclusivity of elderly people?

pedestrian crossing buttons are at wheelchair height, use beeps, bright colours, and braille

name types of additive manufacturing

3D printing, FDM (filliment), SLS (powder), SLA (resin)

What is additive manufacturing?

using CAD/a digital 3D model to construct a 3D model, usually layer by layer

What is advanced robotics?

technology using sensors and other programming to perform complex tasks

How may advanced robotics be used in retail?

they could replace human workers in manual labour tasks (e.g. Retail Robotics)

How could advanced robotics be used in kitchens?

AI robots can replicate almost all movements within a kitchen (e.g. Moleh Robotics)

What is the internet of things?

a network of interoperable physical objects that use sensors, software and network connectivity to connect and exchange data

How may the internet of things be used in retail?

the IoT could monitor stock levels, and automatically carry out restock orders (e.g. Kroger supermarkets)

How may the internet of things be used in kitchens?

could allow users to remotely connect and operate kitchen appliances (Ki cordless kitchen)

What is virtual/augmented reality?

a computer generated environment which uses a wraparound high resolution screen and precise tracking to register movement to immerse a user

How may AR be used in retail?

virtual fitting rooms could simulate the look and feel of clothes before purchasing (e.g. KinectShop)

How may AR be used in kitchens?

users could preview appliances in their kitchens before buying to ensure a good fit (e.g. Bosch)

What is Bluetooth?

allows devices to communicate without a cable using a short range radio frequency within a set distance with a transmitter and receiver

How may Bluetooth be used in retail?

bluetooth beacons could be used in shops to interact with shoppers' phones and display relevant information as they move round (e.g. Apple stores)

How can bluetooth be used in a kitchen environment?

each device could trigger the beginning of the next (e.g. Blendtec)

What is RFID?

radio frequency identification - uses a wireless tag to identify/authenticate/track things regardless of line of sight/contact

What are examples of RFID in retail?

tags could be placed on clothes for quick transactions (e.g. UNIQLO)

How could RFID tags be used in kitchens?

tags on ready made/food mixes connect with RFID readers in special ovens for easier cooking (e.g. Cucina Barilla)

What is voice recognition?

uses deep learning to identify voice biometrics to authenticate a voice

What is face recognition?

feeds an image to an algorithm to embed the image to known images in a database

How could voice/face recognition be used in a retail environment?

could be implemented within security cameras to identify known shop-lifters/record faces

How could voice/face recognition be used in kitchens?

appliances could be voice triggered

What is a renewable resource?

a resource that can be replenished as it is used

What is a finite resource?

the consumption is greater than the rate of creation

How do coil, oil and gas power stations work?

the fuel is used to heat water in a boiler, with the steam being used to drive a turbine and drive a generator

How are fossil fuels made?

formed from the fossilised remains of plants and animals over millions of years, before being extracted by mining and drilling

Why are fossil fuels so relied upon?

they are incredibly efficient and have a higher yield than renewable resources

What is the UK national energy system called?

UK mains

How much energy comes from non-renewable sources?

84%

What is global warming?

burning fossil fuels releases CO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect, this layer traps infrared radiation from the sun, overly heating the Earth

What are some renewable sources of energy?

nuclear, bio-fuels, wind, hydrogen-electricity, tidal, and solar

How much of the world's electricity is nuclear?

11%

How does a nuclear power plant work?

radioactive isotopes > heat > steam > turbines > generate electricity

Why is nuclear power unpopular?

expensive, produces radioactive waste, environmentally unfriendly through mining and water

What is biomass?

a solid fuel created from organic matter which is burned to generate power

What are some examples of biomass?

food/farm waste, compost, wood chips, compressed pellets

Why is biomass considered to be carbon neutral?

biomatter can continue to be planted - it will take in CO2 produced by combustion, making it carbon neutral

What is biofuel/biodiesel?

a liquid fuel created from organic matter

How is biofuel produced?

grains are processed to convert starch to sugars, which are fermented into alcohole and distilled

How is biofuel used?

replaces conventional crude oil diesel

How does McDonald's use renewable energy?

they collect used cooking oil and create biofuel for all McDonald's vehicles

How does wind power work?

wind turns a turbine which turns a generator, producing energy

What are arguments for wind power?

low maintenance, clean energy, higher winter output, low cost energy

What are arguments against wind energy?

produce noise, have a visual impact on previously unspoilt rural landscapes, only work when windy, hazard to birds

How does hydroelectric power (HEP) work?

a dam collects water, travels through a penstock, water drives a turbine connected to a generator

What are arguments for HEP?

clean energy, reliable, flexible, cost-effective in long term, domestic, water used is returned to environment through precipitation

What are arguments against HEP?

reduce water quality and flow, destroy habitats, expensive, rainfall dependency, freshwater species decline, flood large areas of land

How does tidal energy work?

rise and fall of the tide forces water through turbines which drive generators

What are arguments for tidal energy?

tidal movements are constant, renewable, produces no by-products/pollution

What are arguments against tidal energy?

initial cost is very high, very few suitable sites, disturbs migration and lives of sea creatures

How much energy does the sun produce in one hour?

enough to power the world for one year

What happened in 2015 for solar energy?

solar energy generation passed the 1% mark of the world's energy requirement

How do photovoltaic (PV) cells work?

light photons hit the cell which allow electrons to flow, creating an electric current

Where are PV cells used?

solar farms, domestic roofs

What are arguments for using PV cells to harness solar power?

low maintenance, clean energy, relatively low cost

What are arguments against using PV cells to harness solar power?

seasonal fluctuations, no power generated at night, complex positioning issues

papers and boards

• made from cellulose
• classified by gsm and A/B/C sizes
• final finish dependent upon fibre, chemicals, layers, and bleaching level

copier paper (papers and boards)

used for printers/photocopiers

• 80 gsm
• takes colour well

cartridge paper (papers and boards)

used for drawings and paintings

• 120 - 200 gsm
• heavier = more suited for paint

card (papers and boards)

• >220 gsm
• measured by gsm and/or thickness (μm)
• can be made from recycled paper
• can be laminated/layered to enhance strength/finish/durability

corrugated card (papers and boards)

used in packaging

• 1-2 flat layers and fluted layer
• shock absorbing
• lightweight
• cheap
• thermal insulator
• flexible OR rigid
• easily printed on

foam board/foam core (papers and boards)

used for backing of graphic signage, models, and prototypes

• polystyrene between outer layers of paper
• rigid and lightweight
• cuts cleanly

carton board (papers and boards)

used for packaging

• printable top layer
• thin bleached layer and unbleached layers
• 400 - 600 μm thick

duplex board (papers and boards)

used for packaging

• exterior wax coating for moisture barrier
• suitable for printing
• 200 - 500 gsm

softwood (natural/manufactured timber)

pine, cedar, balsa

• cheap + readily available
• wider grain= more absorbent
• lightweight

hardwood (natural/manufactured timber)

mahogany, beech, oak, cedar

• slower growing
• variety of colours/grains
• closer grain = dense

manufactured (natural and manufactured timber)

MDF, chipboard, plywood

• made from scraps bound by adhesives
• susceptible to moisture
• rigid, stable, large sheets

ferrous (metals)

stainless steel, cast iron

• contain iron/ferrite
• often corrodible
• magnetic

non-ferrous (metals)

aluminium, copper, tin

• no iron
• not magnetic

alloys (metals)

brass, stainless steel

• made by combining 2+ metals
• improves properties + appearance

thermoplastics (polymers)

food packaging, water bottles

• malleable
• can be remoulded without affecting physical properties
• individual monomers form polymer chains
• unsuitable for high UV/heat
• mostly recyclable
• plastic memory

thermosets (polymers)

high impact polystyrene, acrylic, polyester resin

• can't be reformed once set in shape
• strong bonds between molecules
• hard and durable
• electrical insulator
• cross linked polymer chains

natural fibres (textile fibres and plastics)

cotton, wool

• harvested from plants or animals

synthetic fibres (textile fibres and plastics)

polyester, acrylic, polyamide

• made from different polymers (petrochemicals)
• dyes added during manufacturing
• strong and durable
• non-absorbent
• easily blended

mixed/blended fibres (textile fibres and plastics)

polycotton

• many fibres blended together
• lightweight
• durable

woven textiles (textile fibres and plastics)

denim, linen

• loom weaves warp and weft threads at 90 degree angles
• self finished edge = selvedge - doesn't fray

knitted fabrics (textile fibres and plastics)

jersey, purl

• series of interlocking loops
• horizontal weft knitting allows stretch but loses shape
• vertical warp knitting keeps shape

non-woven fabrics (textile fibres and plastics)

polypropylene, felt

• sheet/web of fibres bonded thermally, chemically, or mechanically
• no weaving/knitting required
• absorbent, sterile, stretchy, soft, flame retardant, cushioning, filtering

modern (modern and smart materials)

nanomaterials, grapheme, super alloys, biodegradable polymers

• recently discovered
• used in a different way to normal
• could be blended/coated/alloyed/treated

smart (modern and smart materials)

transformers, nitinol, reactive glass, piezo transducer, thermochromic pigments

• reacts by changing properties under different environments

composite materials

reinforced concrete, glass reinforced plastic

• enhanced properties through combining 2+ materials

technical textiles

gore-tex, aramids, conductive textiles

• increased functionality
• e.g. weatherproof, strong, or conductive