PLTW Introduction To Engineering Final Study Guide

Annotate

To add explanatory notes to a drawing.

Accuracy

The degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity to the actual (or accepted) value.

Acute Triangle

A triangle that contains only angles that are less than 90 degrees.

Aesthetic

Of pleasing appearance.

Allowance

The tightest possible fit between two mating parts.

Arbitration

The hearing and determination of a dispute or the settling of differences between parties by a person or persons chosen or agreed to by them.

Area

The number of square units required to cover a surface.

Arrowheads

Arrowheads are used to indicate the end of a dimension line or leader.

Assembly

A group of machined or handmade parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit.

Assembly Drawing

A drawing that show parts of an item when assembled.

Assess

To thoroughly and methodically analyze accomplishment against specific goals and criteria.

Assessment

An evaluation technique for technology that requires analyzing benefits and risks, understanding trade-offs, and then determining the best action to take in order to ensure that the desired positive outcomes outweigh the negative consequences. Techniques used to analyze accomplishments against specific goals and criteria. Examples of assessments include tests, surveys, observations, and self-assessment.

Asymmetry

Symmetry in which both halves of a composition are not identical. Also referred to as informal balance.

Attorney General

The principal legal officer of the Crown or a state.

Audience Analysis

The understanding of the consumer group for which the design is targeted. This would include the audiences, demographics, physical location, amount of time available to view the design, and interest in the subject matter.

Brainstorm

A group technique for solving problems, generating ideas, stimulating creative thinking, etc. by unrestrained spontaneous participation in discussion.

Baseline Dimensioning

System of dimensioning in which all the dimensions are placed from a datum and not from feature to feature. Also referred to as Datum Dimensioning.

By-product

Something produced in the making of something else; a secondary result; a side effect.

Caliper

A measuring instrument having two adjustable jaws typically used to measure diameter or thickness.

Center Line

A line which defines the center of arcs, circles, or symmetrical parts.

Center of gravity

A 3D point where the total wight of the body may be considered to be concentrated.

Client

A person using the services of a professional person or organization.

Component

A part or element of a larger whole

Computer Aided Drafting

The use of a computer to assist in the process of creating, storing, retrieving, modifying, plotting, and communicating a technical drawing.

Consensus

General agreement.

Constraint

A limitation or restriction.

Construction line

Lightly drawn lines to guide drawing other lines and shapes.

Creativity

The ability to make or bring a new concept or idea into existence; marked by the ability or power to create.

Criteria

A means of judging. A standard, rule, or test by which something can be judged.

Critique

A detailed analysis or assessment.

Design

A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of something before it is built or made.

Design process

A systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice.

Design statement

A part of a design brief that challenges the designer, describes what a design solution should do without describing how to solve the problem, and identifies the degree to which the solution must be executed.

Dimension

A measurable extent, such as the three principal dimensions of an object as in width, height, and depth.

Dimension lines

A line which represents distance.

Documentation

The documents that are required for something or that give evidence or proof of something.

Design Brief

A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints. The design brief is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem before attempting a solution.