A Level Design and Technology: Product Design

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and their definitions for A Level Design and Technology: Product Design.

Malleability

The ability of a material to be reshaped in all directions without cracking.

Toughness

The ability of a material to absorb sudden shock without breaking.

Hardness

The ability of a material to resist scratching, wear and tear, and indentation.

Resistance to Corrosion

The ability of a material to withstand deterioration due to chemical reactions.

Thermal Conductivity

The ability of a material to conduct heat.

Electrical Conductivity

The ability of a material to conduct electricity.

Metals

Materials that can be classified into ferrrous, non-ferrous, and alloys.

Woods

Materials that include hardwoods, softwoods, and manufactured boards.

Polymers

Materials that can be classified into thermoplastics, thermoset polymers, and elastomers.

Composites

Materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties.

Smart Materials

Materials that have properties that change in response to external stimuli.

Modern Materials

Materials that are developed through the invention of new or improved processes.

Tensile Strength

The ability of a material to stretch without breaking.

Workshop Test

A hands-on method to evaluate material properties such as toughness and malleability.

Industrial Test

A standardized method to evaluate and measure material properties in a controlled environment.

Salt Spray Testing

An accelerated corrosion test to evaluate the suitability of coatings.

Die Cutting

A manufacturing process used to cut shapes from material in large quantities.

Laser Cutting

A technology that uses lasers to cut materials, is used for industrial manufacturing.

Embossing

The process of creating a raised design on a surface by pressing it.

Debossing

The opposite of embossing; creating an indented design on a material.

UV Varnishing

A finishing process that uses ultraviolet light to dry varnishes almost instantly.

Lamination

The process of applying a thin plastic film to paper or board for durability.

Screen Printing

A printing technique that uses a mesh to transfer ink onto substrates.

Flexographic Printing

A rotary printing process that uses flexible relief plates.

Offset Lithography

A common printing technique that transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket.

Digital Printing

The process of printing directly from a digital file, allowing for on-demand printing.

Milling

The process of machining using rotary cutters to remove material.

Turning

The process of shaping a material by rotating it while a cutting tool is applied.

CNC Machining

Computer Numerical Control machining, a method of automating machine tools.

Wood Defects

Imperfect characteristics of wood, such as warping, splitting, or surface defects.

Natural Timber

Wood sourced directly from trees, without significant processing.

Manufactured Boards

Engineered wood products like MDF and plywood made from wood fibers or particles.

Case Hardening

A process that hardens the outer layer of a metal object while keeping the inner layer soft.

Hardening and Tempering

A heat treatment process to increase the hardness and toughness of metals.

Investment Casting

A manufacturing process for producing complex shapes by creating a wax pattern.

Riveting

A mechanical fastening process that uses a rivet to hold materials together.

Brazing

A metal-joining process that uses a filler metal with a melting point above 450 °C.

Anodising

An electrochemical process that increases the thickness of the oxide layer on a metal.

Thermochromic Material

A material that changes color in response to temperature changes.

Photochromic Material

A material that changes color when exposed to light.

Shape Memory Alloy

A material that can return to its original shape after deformation when heated.

Piezoelectric Material

Materials that generate electricity when subjected to mechanical stress.

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic

A composite material made from carbon fibers and a resin.

Glass Reinforced Plastic

A composite material consisting of glass fibers embedded in a plastic resin.

Biodegradable Polymer

A type of polymer that degrades naturally through environmental conditions.

Eco-Labeling

Certification to identify sustainable products and practices.

Consumer Rights Act

UK law that provides consumers with rights regarding goods and services.

Risk Assessment

A systematic process to identify and evaluate risks associated with workplace hazards.

Health and Safety Executive

The UK government agency responsible for workplace health and safety regulation.

Open Design

A concept that encourages public participation in the design process.

Rapid Prototyping

The process of quickly fabricating a physical part using computer-aided design.

Just in Time Production

A strategy that aligns production with demand to reduce inventory costs.

Digital Point of Sale

Systems for tracking sales and inventory in real time using electronic devices.

Marketing and Brand Identity

The promotion of a product and the establishment of a product identity in a market.

Virtual Modelling

A design simulation process that allows for real-world testing without physical prototypes.

Product Lifecycle Management

The process of managing a product's lifecycle from inception to disposal.

Design for Disassembly

Designing products so they can be easily taken apart to be repaired or recycled.

Sustainable Materials

Materials that can be produced, used and disposed of without depleting resources.

Standardization

The process of implementing and developing technical standards to maximize compatibility.

Supply Chain Management

The management of the flow of goods and services from supplier to customer.

Inventory Management

The supervision of non-capitalized assets, or inventory, and stock items.

Mass Production

The efficient production of large numbers of identical products.

Batch Production

Manufacturing processes that produce goods in groups or batches.

One-off Production

Customization production of a single product or small quantity.

Electrical Conductivity

A measure of how well a material can conduct an electric current.

Thermal Conductivity

A measure of how well a material can conduct heat.

Mechanical Properties

Characteristics that describe a material's behavior under different conditions.

Aesthetic Features

Visual characteristics of a product that contribute to its appeal.

Economics of Scale

Cost advantages when increasing the scale of production.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

A process of comparing the costs and benefits of a project.

Ergonomics

The study of people's efficiency in their working environment.

Social Entrepreneurship

Business ventures that aim to solve social problems while being financially sustainable.

Customer Segmenting

The practice of dividing a customer base into groups of individuals.

Consumer Behavior

The study of individuals and groups in selecting, buying, and using products.

Market Research

The action of gathering relevant data about consumers’ needs and preferences.

Prototype Testing

The process of testing a preliminary model of a product to evaluate its function.

Licensing

Permitting another entity to use your intellectual property in exchange for payment.

Quality Control

A process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The assessment of the environmental consequences of a proposed project.

Technological Innovation

The process of implementing new technologies to improve efficiency and growth.

Value Engineering

A method to improve the value of a product by analyzing its functions.

Fail-Safe Design

Creating systems that minimize risks in the event of failure.

Consumer Protection Laws

Laws designed to ensure the rights of consumers, prevent fraud and unfair practices.

Quality Assurance

The maintenance of a desired level of quality in a service or product.

Industrial Design

The process of designing products that will be mass-produced.

User Experience (UX) Design

The process of enhancing customer satisfaction by improving the usability of a product.

Sourcing

The act of obtaining goods or services from suppliers.

Disassembly and Recycling

The process of taking products apart for the purpose of material recovery.

Life Cycle Assessment

A systematic approach to evaluating the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle.

Regulatory Compliance

The act of conforming to guidelines or regulations related to business processes.

Stakeholder Engagement

The process of involving individuals or groups who have an interest in a project.

Prototyping

The act of creating an early sample, model, or release of a product to test a concept.

Engineering Analysis

The systematic assessment of engineering systems, processes, or problems.

Supply Chain Optimization

The process of improving the efficiency of supply chain operations.

Process Standardization

The practice of providing uniformity to processes and methodologies.

Outsourcing

The business practice of hiring a party outside a company to perform services.

Lean Manufacturing

A systematic method for waste minimization without sacrificing productivity.

Six Sigma

A set of techniques and tools for process improvement.

Total Quality Management

A management approach to long-term success through customer satisfaction.

The Internet of Things

The interconnection of everyday objects to the internet, allowing data transmission.