Technical Understanding

Structural Integrity

Ensuring the strength and stability of a product through material selection, reinforcement techniques, and system components.

Triangulation

Using triangular shapes to distribute weight and resist deformation in structures like trusses and frameworks.

Painting and Coating

Applying protective layers to materials to enhance durability and resistance to environmental factors like corrosion and wear.

Rotary Motion

Circular movement around a central point or axis, seen in mechanisms like car wheels and drill bits.

Load

The weight or resistance being moved, such as the object lifted in a lever system.

Cams

Rotating or sliding pieces in mechanical linkages that convert rotary motion to linear motion, like the camshaft in an engine.

Sensors

Devices like Light Dependent Resistors and Infra-red Sensors that respond to inputs like light intensity and infrared light.

Light-emitting Diodes (LED)

Semiconductor devices emitting light when an electric current passes through, used in display screens and indicator lights.

Microcontrollers

Small computing devices programmable to control electronic systems and enhance product functionality.

Metals

Strong and ductile, often used in construction (e.g., steel beams) and automotive industries.

Composites

Materials like carbon fiber are used in aerospace and high-performance sports equipment due to their high strength-to-weight ratio.

Wood

When choosing wood for structural purposes, hardwoods like oak are preferred for their durability and strength.

Joints and Connections

Bolted or welded joints in steel structures, dovetail joints in woodwork, and snap-fit joints in plastic products provide necessary reinforcement.

Stiffening

Adding ribs or gussets to plastic components (e.g., the inside of a plastic chair) increases rigidity.

Laminating

Plywood, made by gluing multiple layers of wood at different angles, is stronger and more stable than single-layer wood.

Boning

Used in corsetry and garment construction to provide shape and support (e.g., in wedding dresses).

Darts

Tapered seams in clothing that provide a better fit by shaping the fabric around body curves.

Plastic webbing

Strengthens products without adding significant weight (e.g., in lawn chairs, sports equipment).

Concrete Reinforcement

Adding steel bars (rebar) to concrete structures enhances tensile strength (e.g., in buildings, bridges).

Fiberglass Reinforcement

Used in boat hulls and car bodies to increase strength without adding much weight.

Galvanizing

Applying a zinc coating to steel or iron to prevent rusting, commonly used in outdoor structures like fences.

Anodizing

An electrochemical process that increases the thickness of the natural oxide layer on aluminum parts, enhancing corrosion resistance and appearance.

Polishing

Improves the surface finish of metals, plastics, and wood, giving a glossy and attractive appearance (e.g., polished granite countertops, polished metal parts in watches).

Varnishing

Applying a protective and decorative finish to wood, enhancing the grain and providing a glossy or matte finish (e.g., in furniture, flooring).

Electroplating

Coating a metal object with a thin layer of another metal (e.g., chrome-plated car parts, gold-plated jewelry) for improved appearance and resistance to tarnishing.

Linear movement

Movement in a straight line.

Oscillating movement

Back-and-forth movement in an arc.

Reciprocating movement

Back-and-forth movement in a straight line.