A Level Design and Technology: Product Design

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions important 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 or shattering.

Hardness

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

Thermal Conductivity

The ability of a material to conduct heat.

Electrical Conductivity

The ability of a material to conduct electricity.

Tensile Strength

The ability of a material to stretch without breaking or snapping.

Die Cutting

A manufacturing process used to cut specific shapes from materials, often in high volumes.

Laser Cutting

A technology that uses a laser to cut materials, often used for precision cutting in manufacturing.

Vacuum Forming

A process used to shape plastic sheets using heat and a vacuum to create a specified mold.

Composites

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

Smart Materials

Materials that respond to external stimuli such as temperature, light, or pressure.

Biodegradable Polymers

Polymers that are capable of being broken down by microorganisms into natural substances.

Epoxy Resin

A versatile material that is a good electrical insulator, hard and brittle unless reinforced.

Lamination

A process where a thin plastic film is applied to paper or board to enhance appearance and durability.

Screen Printing

A printing technique that uses a mesh to transfer ink onto a substrate except where blocked by a stencil.

Flexographic Printing

A relief printing technique that uses flexible printing plates to print on various substrates.

Offset Lithography

A printing technique that transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface.

Digital Printing

Printing methods that use digital files to print directly onto a substrate.

CAD (Computer-Aided Design)

Software used by architects and designers to create precision drawings or 3D models.

CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacture)

Software that controls machine tools in the manufacturing process.

Just in Time (JIT) Production

A production method where goods are produced only as needed, reducing inventory costs.

Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

A UK law that ensures employers protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees.

Consumer Rights Act (2015)

A UK law that provides consumers with the right to refunds, replacements, and repairs for faulty goods.

Copyright

A legal right that gives the creator of original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution.

Trademarks

Signs, logos, or phrases that distinguish products or services of one entity from another.

Design for Disassembly

An approach to design that facilitates easy disassembly of products at the end of their life.

Feasibility Study

An assessment of the practicality and potential success of a proposed project or system.