AQA Design and Technology

iterative design

when problems are found in user testing, fix them and carry out more tests

user centred design

A design process that pays particular attention to the needs of potential users of a product by involving them in all stages of the design process.

electronic systems

systems aided by computing devices

microcontrollers

Special-purpose microprocessors that are built into the device they control.

Marcel Breuer

Wassily Chair, inspired by bicycle handles

Louis Comfort Tiffany

art nouveau, known for his famous lamp design

Alessi

Italian design company, produces everyday houseware

apple

electronic company

Ecological issues

factors that affect the physical environment and ecological systems that may not have direct health effects; deforestation, mining & oil spills

The 6 R's

designers evaluate the impact of their products on the environment; Reduce, Rethink, Refuse, Recycle, Reuse & Repair

Fair Trade

it helps people in developing countries to get a fair deal for the products that they produce

Market Research

designers must check to see if there is a gap in the market for their products

Primary Data

Raw data taken first hand from original research

Secondary Data

data previously collected for any purpose other than the one at hand

Ergonomics

human factors; how people interact with the products

Anthropometrics

the study of the human factors and how it moves

design brief

it gives a short description of the problem that is to be solved

ACCSESS FM

it is a tool that can be used to help designers to write a design specification

developing a design

iterative design, sketching, modelling & breadboarding (a method of prototyping electronic circuits)

Working Drawings

known as orthographic drawings, showing the side, front and plan (top view)

Schematic Drawings

it shows a drawing of a circuit, and its system

mathematical modelling

it simulates real life situations, it calculates values to see how strong it can withstand

Prototypes

they ensure that problems with the design re found and dealt with early on

renewable energy

A resource that can be replaced when needed.

storing energy

energy can be stored using batteries and kinetic pumped storage systems, converting chemical energy into electrical energy

rotating motion

one singular motion in a circle

linear motion

one singular motion in a straight line in one direction

reciprocating motion

a motion of moving backwards and forwards

oscillating motion

a motion of swinging back and forth

levers

a form of a machine, they change the amount of effort or force required to move a load, they create a mechanical advantage making everything easier

first order lever

an example is scissors

second order lever

an example is a nutcracker

third order lever

an example is a tweezer

linkages

are used to transfer motion between two positions

cams

they are used to convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion

gears

they change the speed or motion they transfer, which is proportional to the sizes of the two gears

pulleys

they transfer rotary motion

strength

the ability to withstand a force

Elasticity

the ability of a material to return to its original shape when a force is removed

Ductility

the amount that a material can be stretched or deformed when a force is applied

malleability

the ability of a solid to be hammered without shattering

hardness

ability to resist scratching

toughness

the ability of a material to resist fracture

hardwoods

deciduous trees, take a long time to grow

softwoods

coniferous trees, fast growing

manufactured boards

they offer consistent properties

making metals

metal is extracted from ores

ferrous metals

they contain iron

alloys

they have improved properties as they are combined metals

polymers

chains of monomers, they are commonly synthetic and manufactured from oil from craking

thermosetting polymers

Cannot be remoulded as have strong cross links between chains.

thermoforming polymers

polymers that can be softened by heating, shaped and set over and over again

metal foams

metal with gas foams, lightweight but strong. used in crumple zone

graphene

This is a single layer of graphite.

They have interlocking hexagonal rings of carbon, one atom thick, so therefore very thin.

Excellent electrical conductivity, and is used in electronics and computer chips.

Nanomaterials

self cleaning properties

photochromic materials

Materials that change colour in response to changes in light levels.

composites

the combination of two or more materials

technical textiles

textiles used in applications other than apparel and interiors

finishing materials

they improve the aesthetics durability and resistance to damage

selecting materials

functionality, aesthetics & sustainablity

enhancing a materials properties

reinforcement via webbing, and interfacing (extra layers of materials)

one-off production

one product is made at one given time (expensive)

batch production

a group of identical products made together (set up is expensive)

mass production

large quantities of identical products (low price)

continuous production

constant manufacture (set up is expensive)

polymer manufacturing processes

3d printing, line bending, moulding, vacuum forming, injection moulding, extrusion &blow moulding

Jigs, Templates & patterns

custom made tool designed to achieve accuracy