1/3 Core Technical Principles✅

impact of new and emerging technologies on design of the workplace

• Technology has improved the effiency of buildings

• More factories use renewable energy

• Modular buildings are used so that less storage space is needed

Impact of new and emerging technologies on the place of work

• More flexible building design to improve speed of the product to the market

• Automation

• Smaller factories thanks to JIT which requires less storage space

Impact of new and emerging technologies on tools and equipment

• Increase in multi purpose equipment as it is more flexible

• Tools are becoming more automated to improve safety and speed of manufacture

Impact of new and emerging technologies on tools and equipment

• Increase in multi purpose equipment as it is more flexible

• Tools are becoming more automated to improve safety and speed of manufacture

what is automation and why is it used

• Use of machines to make working quicker and more productive

• Machines are programmed to carry out procedures multiple times

• High set up costs, but once set up it doesn't cost much

What is robotics and why is it used

• The use of robots is one part of automation

• Robots use AI to collect info and improve performance of procedures

Pros and cons of automation

• Pros - quicker time to market, more precise, flexible (can be easily reprogrammed)

• Cons - high set up costs, can lead to fewer jobs for people

What is crowdfunding

• When start up businesses are funded by investors online

• Investors can give their money and not have it given back, or give their money in return for shares in the business

What is virtual marketing

When retailers display and advertise their products on a website / social media

How is  virtual marketing effective

• The designer can display more products than they would be able to in a store

• It is cheap to set up and increases sales from different areas

 

What is a co-operative and how is it effective

• When an enterprise is jointly owned and controlled by its members

• Effective because - It increases purchasing and marketing power and it is easy to form

 

What is fair trade and how is it effective

• Fair trade is when workers in developing countries are given suitable working conditions and paid a fair wage

• It is effective because when companies are fair trade certified people are more likely to buy the product

 

What are finite resources and why are they popular

• They are non-renewable

• E.g. Coal, natural gas, oil

• They are popular because they're easily accessible

What are non finite resources

• They can be replaced or are found naturally

• E.g. Wood, cotton, solar energy, wind energy

What type of waste disposal is preferred

• Waste disposal is monitored by local councils

• Recycling is encouraged where possible

• Other waste goes to landfills which pollute the air and soil

 

what is technology push and what is market pull

• technology push - New technologies are developed by research departments, creating products with no prior demand e.g. iPad

• market pull - When consumer demand drives the development of new or improved products

how have jobs changed due to technological change

• Future jobs may not exist - technology push creates jobs

• Additionally people need to be more skilled so that they can manage new technologies

how has fashion changed due to new and emerging technologies

• Fashion trends like high-tech watched embrace new technology

• textile technology utilises electrically conducive materials or 3D printing technology

how do designers ensure their products respect people of different faiths

• • Designers must consider a range of cultural beliefs while designing for the mass market

• Designers consult with members of religious groups to ensure the design is suitable to their beliefs

how are products designed to avoid having a negative impact on disabled people

• Designers take into account disabilities like visual impairments and motor control

• Products aimed at users with disabilities ensure that they can use the product with ease

• eg Braille keyboard

How are products designed to avoid having a negative impact on elderly people

• Designers take into account issues like mobility, visual impairment and hearing loss

• Example - long shoehorn so old people don't have to bend down to put their shoes on

How are products designed to avoid having a negative impact on religious groups

The use of certain symbols, dietary restrictions, clothing requirements are all considered, so that beliefs are upheld

what is continous improvement and how does it affect the environment

• Continuous improvement is when designers look for ways to improve to the product at every stage of the process

• Small changes are made

• This reduces waste and therefore negative impact on the environment

Examples of efficient working and how they affect the environment

• Exampes - planning a production line so stages are next to each other, located factories near source of material, ordering correct amounts of material

• Eliminates travel time and reduces waste, therefore has a positive effect on the environment

how has automation affected productivity and jobs

• The automation of workplaces has led to an increase in skilled workers but a decrease in job opportunities

• Automation has streamlined the manufacturing system by increasing production and reducing errors.

What is CAD

• Computer aided design

• It helps design products in 3D and visualise them with different materials

advantages and disadvantages of CAD

Advantages

• Ideas can be drawn and developed quickly

• Designs can be viewed from all angles

disadvantages

• Expensive to set up

• Difficult to keep up with constantly changing and improving technology

What is CAM

• Computer aided manufacture

• Designs can be sent to CAM machines like laser cutters and 3D printers

Advantages and disadvantages of CAM

• Advantages - fast, accurate, machines run constantly

• Disadvantages - expensive to set up, needs a skilled workforce

What is FMS

• Flexible manufacturing systems

• A series of different machines producing different parts for a product

• The system is flexible because at any time machines in the process can be reprogrammed to change the task

What is JIT

• A strategy to increase efficiency

• It only accepts goods when they are needed in production, saving on storage and stock levels

• Stands for Just In Time

What is lean manufacturing

• Lean manufacturing is a way to minimise costs and maximise efficiency by cutting down on waste and amount of materials used in production

• This is done by using processes like tessellation

What is planned obsolescence

• When products are designed to have a shorter life span

• For example iPhones slowly stop being able to have software updates

what is design for maintenance

When products are made to be durable and have spare parts available so they can be mended easily. e.g. push bikes

How is power generated from coal and what is this heat used for

• Burning coal creates heat

• Heat is used to turn water into steam, powering turbines

• Used for smaller appliances in the home

Pros and cons of coal

• Pros - creates a large amount of energy

• Cons - creates carbon dioxide

How is natural gas turned into energy

• Gas can be burned in a power station to create heat energy

• This powers turbines and creates electricity

Pros and cons of natural gas

• Pros - cost effective as it is ready made, unlike coal

• Cons - very flammable and can cause explosions

How is power generated from oil

• Oil is burned, creating steam which drives turbines

• Most oil in the UK is turned into plastics

Pros and cons of oil

• Pros - small amount of oil produces lots of energy

• Cons - creates air pollution

How is nuclear energy generated

• Through the process of fission

• Atoms are split and this energy is used to convert water into super-heated steam

• This spins turbines connected to electrical generators to produce electricity

Pros and cons of nuclear energy

• Pros - no harmful gases are released

• Cons - costs a lot to run the power stations and they have to shut after 40 years

How is wind energy generated

Blades turn wind, driving a generator that produces electricity

Pros and cons of wind energy

• Pros - it is renewable energy

• Cons - depends on weather

How is solar power generated

Solar panels, made from photovoltaic cells, harness light energy from the sun and convert it to electricity

Pros and cons of solar panels

• Pros - renewable energy

• Cons - dependent on sunlight so don't work in cloudy or dark conditions

How is tidal energy generated

• A tidal barrage is built across the mouth of a river where it meets the ocean

• The barrage is constructed so that incoming tide passes through turbines to generate electricity

pros and cons of tidal energy

• Pros - renewable energy. Good for the UK as we are an island

• Cons - construction is expensive

How is hydroelectric power generated

• Dams block water

• Once water has built up, it is released by valves through turbines

• Turbines turn generators and produce electricity

Pros and cons of HEP

• Pros - renewable, no pollution

• Cons - expensive to build, affects wildlife

How is energy generated from biomass

Plants are grown and then burned to produce heat

pros and cons of biomass

• Pros - Renewable

• Cons - creates atmospheric pollution when burned

What are kinetic pumped storage systems

A fast-acting electrical energy storage system to top up the National Grid power supply at peak times

How do kinetic pumped storage systems work

• During the day, the potential energy in the form of water is held in the dam

• It flows down the slope, creating kinetic energy to spin a turbine

• When demand is low (at night) excess electricity is used to pump water from the lower dam back up the main reservoir

• This tops up the water available to generate power

What are alkaline batteries

• Batteries that are supplied fully charged

• They can only be used once

What are rechargeable batteries

• Batteries that can be recharged a number of times

• They are more economic in the long term