DT GCSE

What is the impact of new emerging technologies on the design and organisation of the workplace?

- Changes in communication and collaboration

- Higher demand for skilled worker

- Greater efficiency and productivity

- More flexible workspaces

What is the impact of new emerging technologies on the buildings and the place of work?

- Smarter buildings with automated systems

- Flexible, open-plan layours for collaboration

- Built in digital infrastructure

- Eco - friendly designs

What is the impact of new emerging technologies on tools and equipment?

- Tools are more precise, automated, and efficient

- Use of computer-controlled machines (e.g. CNC, CAM)

- Improved safety and reduced human error

- Require new digital skills and training

What is enterprise?

- Taking a risk to develop an idea into a product or service

- Aims to make a profit through innovation or spotting market gaps

- Encourages creativity and problem-solving

What is crowdfunding?

- Raising money from many people online, each giving a small amount

- Used on platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe

- Avoids bank loans or investors

- Supporters may get rewards or early access

What is virtual marketing and retail?

- Promoting and selling products online via websites, social media, and ads

- Reaches a global audience quickly and cheaply

- Allows 24/7 shopping without physical stores

- Uses data to personalise customer experience

What are co-operatives?

- Businesses owned and run by members who share profits

- Members have a democratic say in decisions

- Focus on fairness, community, and shared success

What is fairtrade?

- A trading system that ensures fair prices and wages for producers

- Supports better working conditions and sustainable farming

- Common in products like coffee, chocolate, and textiles

- Promotes social justice and reduces poverty

What is the impact of finite resource consumption on the planet?

- Uses up natural resources that can't be replaced

- Causes pollution and harms the environment

- Leads to climate change

Destroys habitats and animals

- Makes it harder for future people to get what they need

What is the impact of non-finite resource consumption on the planet?

- Non-finite resources (like solar, wind) don't run out

- They produce little or no pollution

- Help reduce climate change

- Support sustainable use of the planet's resources

- Can sometimes affect local wildlife or environments (e.g. wind turbines)

What is the impact of disposal of waste on the planet?

- Causes pollution of land, water, and air

- Can harm wildlife and destroy habitats

- Takes up space in landfills

- Releases greenhouse gases like methane

What is technology push??

- When new technology is developed first

- Then companies create products using that technology

- Focuses on innovation, not customer demand

What is market pull?

- When customer needs or demands drive product development

- Companies create products to meet these needs

- Focuses on solving real problems or gaps in the market

- Leads to products that customers want

How do fashion trends change in relation to the emergence of new and emerging technologies?

- Technology enables new materials (e.g., smart fabrics, 3D-printed clothes)

- Designers use digital tools like CAD to create innovative styles

- Social media and online platforms spread trends faster worldwide

How are products designed to avoid having an negative impact on the disabled?

- Using inclusive design so everyone can use the product easily

- Adding features like larger buttons, voice control, or tactile feedback

- Following accessibility standards and regulations

- Testing products with disabled users for feedback

- Avoiding complex controls or harmful materials

How are products designed to avoid having an negative impact on the elderly?

- Designed to be easy to use with clear instructions

- Larger buttons, simple controls, and readable fonts

- Lightweight and ergonomic for easier handling

- Use of safety features to prevent accidents

- Consider physical limitations like reduced strength or vision

How are products designed to avoid having an negative impact on different religious groups?

- Respect cultural and religious beliefs in design (e.g., colors, symbols)

- Avoid materials or ingredients forbidden by religions (e.g., pork, alcohol)

- Consider modesty requirements (e.g., clothing styles)

- Research and consult with religious groups during development

What is continuous improvement?

- Ongoing effort to make products, services, or processes better

- Involves small, regular changes rather than big overhauls

- Aims to improve quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction

- Encourages feedback, innovation, and learning

What is efficient working?

- Completing tasks using the least time, effort and resources

- Reduces waste and increases productivity

- Helps save money and improve quality

What are positive/negative impacts continuous improvement has on the environment?

Positive:

- Encourages reducing waste and using resources more efficiently

- Leads to more sustainable products and processes over time

- Promotes eco - friendly innovation and cleaner production

Negative:

- Frequent changes may increase energy use or material was short term

- May lead to more production and consumption (overuse of resources)

- Can require extra resources for testing and development

What are positive/negative impacts efficient working has on the environment?

Positive:

- Reduces waste of materials and energy

- Lowers carbon emissions

- Encourages sustainable use of resources

Negative:

- May lead to overuse of machine (more energy use)

- Can cause jobs losses of machines are automated

- Focus on speed might ignore environmental concerns

What are current and future uses of automation?

Current:

- Robots in factories

- Self-checkouts in shops

-Chatbots + smart home devices

Future uses:

- Driverless cars and delivery bots

- Robots helping in hospitals and schools

- Smart cities that run things automatically

What does CAD stand for? What is it?

- Computer Aided Design

- It is the use of computers to design products digitally

- It allows accurate 2D and 3D drawings and models

What are current and future uses of CAD?

Current:

- Designing products in 2D and 3D e.g phones

- Architecture and building plans

- Engineering

Future:

- AI assisted design suggestions and automation

- Faster prototyping with 3D printing linked directly to CAD files

- Smarter simulation and testing before physical production

What does CAM stand for? What is it?

- Computer-Aided Manufacturing

- It uses computers and machines to make products automatically

- CAM works with CAD to turn designs into real objects

- Common in CNC machines, 3D printing, and laser cutting

What are current and future uses of CAM?

Current:

- Cut, drill and shape materials

- Laser cutting + engraving

- Automated production lines in factories

- Making precise parts in industries such as aerospace

Future:

- More advanced 3D printing

- Smarter machines which will adjust automatically using AI

- Fully automated with little human input

- Use of robot + automation in more industries

What does FMS stand for? What is it?

- Flexible Manufacturing System

- It is a production system that can quickly change to make different products

- Uses computers and robots to switch between tasks easily

- Helps companies produce small batches efficiently

What are current and future uses of FMS?

Current:

- Car manufacturing with different models on the same line

- Electronics assembly where designs change frequently

- Producing custom or small batch products efficiently

Future:

- Even more adaptable factories using AI to switch tasks instantly

- Integration with smart systems for real-time production changes

- Use in personalised medicine and custom manufacturing

- Fully automated plants with minimal human intervention

What does JIT stand for? What is it?

- Just In Time

- Production strategy where materials and products arrive exactly when needed

- Minimises inventory and storage costs

- Reduces waste and improves efficiency

What are current and future uses of JIT?

Current:

- Car manufacturers order parts as needed to reduce stock

- Retailers restock shelves just before running out

- Electronics companies use JIT to keep inventory low

- Fast fashion brands produce clothes quickly based on demand

Future Uses:

- More advanced data systems to predict and manage supply needs

- Integration with AI for real-time inventory control

- Wider use in small businesses and online stores

- Automated ordering systems connected directly to suppliers

What is lean manufacturing?

- A production method focused on reducing waste

- Improves efficiency by using fewer materials, time, and effort

- Aims to deliver quality products quickly and cost-effectively

What are current and future uses of lean manufacturing?

Current:

- Car and electronics industries reduce waste and improve workflows

- Using just enough materials and parts to avoid excess

- Streamlining production to speed up delivery

Future:

- More AI and data analytics to identify waste and improve processes

- Greater use of automation to reduce errors and waste

- Applying lean methods to new industries like healthcare and construction

What is planned obsolesce?

- Designing products to have a limited lifespan

- Encourages customers to buy new versions sooner

- Can involve parts that wear out quickly or styles that go out of fashion

- Increases sales but can lead to more waste and environmental harm

What is design for maintenance?

- Designing products so they are easy to repair and service

- Uses parts that can be replaced or fixed simply

- Helps extend the product's life and reduce waste

- Saves money for users by avoiding full replacements

How is power generated from coal?

- Coal is burned to heat water in a boiler

- The steam produced turns a turbine

- The turbine spins a generator

- The generator produces electricity

- Waste gases and ash are managed as by-products

How is power generated from gas?

- Natural gas is burned to produce hot gases

- Hot gases spin a turbine directly or produce steam to spin a turbine

- The turbine turns a generator

- The generator produces electricity

- Gas power plants are quicker to start and cleaner than coal plants

How is power generated from oil?

- Oil is burned to heat water in a boiler

- The steam produced turns a turbine

- The turbine spins a generator

- The generator produces electricity

- Oil power plants release carbon emissions and pollutants

What are the arguments for using fossil fuels?

- Reliable and widely available energy source

- Infrastructure for extraction and use is well-established

- Provides high energy output for electricity and transport

- Supports many jobs and industries

What are arguments against using fossil fuels?

- Releases greenhouse gases causing climate change

- Non-renewable and will eventually run out

- Causes air pollution and health problems

- Environmental damage from extraction (oil spills, mining)

How is nuclear energy produced?

- Nuclear fission splits uranium atoms in a reactor

- This releases a large amount of heat

- Heat is used to produce steam from water

- Steam turns a turbine connected to a generator

- The generator produces electricity

What are arguments for nuclear energy?

- Produces large amounts of low-carbon electricity

- Reliable and can run continuously (not weather-dependent)

- Uses relatively small amounts of fuel

- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels

What are arguments against nuclear energy?

- Radioactive waste is dangerous and hard to dispose of

- High costs to build and maintain plants

- Risk of accidents with serious consequences

How is power generated from wind?

- Wind turns the blades of a wind turbine

- The blades spin a shaft connected to a generator

- The generator produces electricity

- Clean, renewable energy with no fuel needed

How is power generated from solar?

- Solar panels capture sunlight

- They convert sunlight directly into electricity

- Works best in sunny conditions

- Clean and renewable with no moving parts

How is power generated from tidal?

How is power generated from hydro-electrical?

- Water moves in and out with the tides

- This movement turns underwater turbines

- The turbines spin a generator

- The generator produces electricity

- A clean and predictable renewable energy source

How is power generated from biomass?

- Organic materials (like wood, crops, or waste) are burned or processed

- This releases heat to produce steam

Steam turns a turbine connected to a generator

- The generator produces electricity

- Biomass is renewable but still releases some carbon (it is carbon neutral)

What are kinetic pumped storage systems?

- A way to store and release electricity using water

- Water is pumped up hill when energy is cheap

- Released downhill to make electricity is needed

- Functions like a rechargeable battery

What is an alkaline battery?

- Single use (non-rechargeable)

- Common in toys, remotes and clocks

- Cheap and easy to use

- Must be disposed of after use

What is a rechargeable battery?

- Can be used many times (recharged with electricity)

- Used in electronic devices e.g phones and laptops

- More expensive at first but better for the environment

- Save money and reduce waste over time

What is graphene and how is it used?

- One atom thick, super strong, light and flexible

- Excellent conductor of electricity and heat

- Used in electronics and medical devices

What are metal foams and how are they used?

- Metals filled with tiny air pockets

- Strong but lightweight

- Used in cars, crash protection and aerospace parts

What is titanium and how is it used?

- A metal

- Strong, lightweight and resistant to and resistant to rust/corrosion

- Used in medical implants, aircraft and sports gear

- Very durable and long lasting

What are coated metals and what is their function?

- Metal covered with another material e.g plastic, paint or zinc

- Improves durability, corrosion resistance and appearance

- Used in outdoor furniture, tools and car parts

What are liquid crystal displays (LCDS) and what is their function?

- Screens made using liquid crystals that change with electric signals

- Used in TVs, watches, calculators, and monitors

- Thin, energy-efficient, and display sharp images

What are nano-materials and what is their function?

- Materials made from extremely tiny particles (nanometres in size)

- Have special properties like being stronger, lighter, or antibacterial

- Used in medicine, clothing, electronics, and coatings

What are Smart materials?

Materials that change their properties in response to external stimuli (like heat, light, or pressure)

What is Thermochromic Pigment?

- Changes colour with temperature

- Used in baby spoons, kettles, mood rings

- Smart material

What is Photochromic Pigment?

- Changes colour in response to light (UV)

- Used in sunglasses and UV warning patches

- Smart material

What is Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)?

- Returns to its original shape when heated

- Used in glasses frames, braces, and actuators

- Smart material

What is Shape Memory Polymer (SMP)?

- A plastic that returns to its original shape with heat

- Used in self-healing materials and medical devices

- Smart material

What is a Piezoelectric Material?

- Produces electricity when squeezed or vibrated

- Used in microphones, sensors, and lighters

- Smart material

What is Electroluminescent Wire (EL Wire)?

- Glows when electricity passes through it

- Used in clothing, decorations, and displays

- Smart material

What are Hydrogels?

- Absorb and retain water; swell or shrink in response to moisture or pH

- Used in nappies, wound dressings

- Smart material

What are composite materials?

Materials produced by combining two or more different materials to create an enhanced material

What is Carbon Fibre and what is it used for?

- Made from carbon strands and resin

- Very strong and lightweight

- Used in bike frames, sports equipment, and aircraft

- Composite material

What is Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) and what is it used for?

- Fibreglass strands set in resin

- Lightweight, strong, and waterproof

- Used in boat hulls, car bodies, and water tanks

- Composite material

What is Concrete and what is it used for?

- Cement + sand + gravel

- Very strong in compression

- Used in buildings, bridges, and pavements

- Composite material

What is Reinforced Concrete and what is it used for?

- Concrete with steel bars inside

- Strong in both compression and tension

- Used in large buildings, roads, and foundations

- Composite material

What is Plywood and what is it used for?

- Layers of wood glued at 90° angles

- Strong, stable, and resists warping

- Used in furniture, floors, and walls

- Composite material

What is MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) and what is it used for?

- Wood fibres glued under pressure

- Smooth, easy to cut, and cheap

- Used in flat-pack furniture and shelving

- Composite material

What is a technical textile?

A textile designed for specific function rather than appearance; it is used in industries such as medical, sports, construction and defence

What is Kevlar and what is it used for?

- Very strong and lightweight fibre

- Used in bullet proof vests and protective clothing

- Technical textile

What is Gore-Tex and what is it used for?

- A waterproof and breathable fabric

- Used in outdoor jackets and shoes

- Technical textile

What are Fire-Resistant Fabrics used for?

- Fabrics that resist burning or melting

- Used in firefighter uniforms

- Technical textile

What are Medical Textiles?

- Fabrics used in health care (e.g. bandages, implants)

- Often antibacterial and breathable

- Technical textile

What are E-textiles?

- Fabrics with electronic components like sensors or lights

- Used in wearable tech and smart clothing

- Technical textile

What is a light sensor used for?

- Detects light levels (brightness/darkness)

- Used in automatic lights, street lamps and phone brightness control

What is a temperature sensor used for?

- Detects hot and cold

- Used in thermostats, ovens, fridges, and smart heating systems

What is a Pressure Sensor used for?

- Detects force or pressure applied

- Used in car airbags and touch - sensitive devices

What is a switch used for?

- Opens or closes a circuit to turn something on or off

- Found in light switches, buttons and key pads

What is a microcontroller?

- A small computer on a chip used to control devices

- Can be programmed to respond to inputs and control outputs

How are microcontrollers used as counters?

- Count how many times an event happens

- Example: counting people entering a room or button presses

How are microcontrollers used as timers?

- Measure time or delay actions

- Example: turning a light off after 10 seconds

How are microcontrollers used for decision making?

- Take input from sensors and make decisions

- Example: if it's dark (light sensor), then turn on a light

Why are microcontrollers useful in products?

- Add smart features

- Improve efficiency and automation

- Replace complex circuits with one programmable chip

What is a buzzer used for in products?

- Makes a sound when activated

- Used for alerts, alarms, timers, and notifications

What is a speaker used for in products?

- Plays recorded or generated sound

- Used in toys, phones, alarms, and smart devices

What is a lamp used for in products?

- Provides visual feedback or light

- Used in indicator lights, torches, warning signals, and displays

What are the 4 types of mechanical movement?

- Linear

- Rotary

- Reciprocating

- Oscillating

What is linear movement and where is it used?

- Movement in one direction in a straight line

- Example: a paper trimmer or a train on tracks

What is Rotary Movement and where is it used?

- Spinning or turning around a central point

- Example: wheels, drills, and motors

What is Reciprocating Movement and where is it used?

- Repeated back-and-forth movement in a straight line

- Example: a saw blade or piston

What is Oscillating Movement and where is it used?

- Swinging back and forth in an arc

- Example: a clock pendulum or fan

What are levers?

They use mechanical advantage to make lifting or applying pressure easier

What are the three main parts of a lever?

Effort - the amount of force applied by the user (input)

Fulcrum - (where lever pivots)

Load - the weight that needs to be moved (output)

How do you calculate mechanical advantage?

load (N) / effort (N)

What is mechanical advantage?

- The amount of help you get using a machine in comparison to doing something with just human effort

- It is created by leavers

What is a first order lever?

- Effort -> Fulcrum -> Load

- E.g seesaw, scissors or crowbar

- Can increase force or speed depending on placement

What is a second order lever?

- Effort -> Load -> Fulcrum

- E.g wheelbarrow, nutcracker, bottle opener

- Always gives force an advantage