Design EoY10

ABS

Tough lightweight thermoplastic used for toys, helmets, and casings

Acceptance sampling

Testing a sample to judge batch quality

Acrylic

Clear thermoplastic used for signs, displays, and windows

Advantages of standardised components – better logistics

Standard parts simplify storage and supply chains

Advantages of standardised components – cost reduction

Standard parts reduce manufacturing cost

Advantages of standardised components – easy maintenance

Repairs are simpler with interchangeable parts

Advantages of standardised components – improved efficiency

Standard parts speed up assembly

Advantages of standardised components – quality and reliability

Standard parts are consistent and tested

alloy

Mixture of metals to improve properties

aluminium

Lightweight, malleable metal used in cans and aircraft

ash

Strong hardwood used for tool handles and furniture

balsa

Very lightweight hardwood used for models

Batch production – final testing

Ensuring the finished batch meets required standards

Batch production – intermediate checks

Inspecting products between stages

Batch production – material preparation

Preparing all materials needed for production

Batch production – packaging

Preparing the completed batch for distribution

Batch production – planning and scheduling

Organising when and how each batch is produced

Batch production – sequential processing

Completing manufacturing steps in a fixed order

Batch QC – acceptance sampling

Testing a sample to judge batch quality

Batch QC – final product testing

Checking the finished batch before release

Batch QC – first article inspection

Testing the first item in a batch

Batch QC – in‑process quality control

Monitoring quality during production

Batch QC – raw material inspection

Checking materials before production

Batch QC – SPC

Using data to monitor consistency

Batch QC – traceability

Recording batch data for tracking

beech

Tough hardwood used for tools and furniture

Better logistics

Standard parts simplify storage and supply chains

birch

Pale hardwood used for plywood and furniture

Box joint

Interlocking straight fingers cut into two boards

brass

Durable, corrosion‑resistant alloy used in instruments and fittings

brittleness

How easily a material shatters when bent

Buzzer

Output device that produces sound when current flows

Butt joint

Two pieces joined end‑to‑end or edge‑to‑edge using glue or fasteners

Capacitor

Component that stores and releases electrical charge

Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic

Strong lightweight composite used for bikes and sports equipment

cedar

Softwood resistant to decay, used outdoors

Compressive strength

How resistant a material is to being squashed

Conductivity

Ability to allow heat or electricity to pass through

Cost reduction

Standard parts reduce manufacturing cost

Debarking

Bark removed for clean processing

Delimbing and bucking

Branches removed and logs cut to length

Dovetail joint

Interlocking wedge‑shaped pins and tails that resist pulling forces

Dowel joint

Butt joint reinforced with wooden dowels in drilled holes

Drying (seasoning)

Moisture reduced by air‑drying or kiln‑drying

Ductility

How easily a material can be drawn or bent without breaking

Easy maintenance

Repairs are simpler with interchangeable parts

Edging and trimming

Rough edges removed and boards sized

Elasticity

How far a material can stretch and return to shape

elastomers

Flexible polymers that can stretch and return to shape

Epoxy

Strong thermoset resin used for adhesives and coatings

Examples of hardwoods

oak, maple, mahogany, beech, birch, ash

Examples of manufactured boards

plywood, MDF, chipboard, blockboard

Examples of softwoods

pine, spruce, fir, cedar

ferrous

Metals containing iron, usually magnetic and prone to rust

Final product testing

Checking the finished batch before release

fir

Softwood used for construction and joinery

Glass-fibre reinforced plastic

Tough composite used for boats and car panels

Grading and treatment

Timber strength‑graded and treated for durability

Hardness

Resistance to scratching or indentation

hardwood

Timber from deciduous trees, dense and slow‑growing

Harvesting

Trees are cut down in managed forests

Improved efficiency

Standard parts speed up assembly

In-process quality control

Monitoring quality during production

iron

Strong, magnetic metal used in construction and cookware

Kevlar-reinforced plastic

Impact‑resistant composite used for helmets and protection

LCD screen

Thin display that uses liquid crystals to show information

LED

A semiconductor device that emits light when current passes through it

Log sorting

Logs sorted by species, size, and quality

Log transport

Logs moved from forest to sawmill

mahogany

High‑quality hardwood with good workability

Malleability

How easily a material can be shaped or formed

manufactured board

Man‑made sheet material with consistent properties

maple

Strong hardwood used for flooring and furniture

Material preparation

Preparing all materials needed for production

Melamine

Hard thermoset plastic used for laminates and kitchenware

Melting point

Temperature at which a material melts

Miter joint

Two pieces cut at 45° to form a corner

mild steel

Tough, low‑cost metal used in construction and engineering

Mortise and tenon

A tenon fits into a mortise to create a strong joint

non-ferrous

Metals without iron, corrosion‑resistant and non‑magnetic

oak

Strong durable hardwood used for furniture

On/off switch

Switch that stays open or closed until manually changed

Packaging

Preparing the completed batch for distribution

PCB

Printed circuit board that holds and connects electronic components

photochromic pigment

Pigment that changes colour when exposed to UV light

pine

Softwood used for construction and furniture

PLA

Biodegradable thermoplastic used for 3D printing and packaging

Planning and scheduling

Organising when and how each batch is produced

Primary conversion

Logs sawn into boards and planks

Properties of hardwoods

high density, strength, durability, aesthetic grain

Properties of softwood

low density, affordable, fast‑growing, simple grain

Push-to-make switch

Switch that completes a circuit only while pressed

Raw material inspection

Checking materials before production

Resistance to work hardening

Ability to deform without becoming brittle

Resistor

Component that limits or controls electrical current

Secondary processing

Boards planed, shaped, or machined

Sequential processing

Completing manufacturing steps in a fixed order

Softwood

Timber from coniferous trees, lightweight and fast‑growing

spruce

Softwood used for indoor furniture and construction

Stainless steel

Corrosion‑resistant alloy used in cutlery and medical tools