Digital design and manufacture

Question 1

Give 3 advantages and 3 disadvantage to using CAD

Answer 1

+ networking facilitates collaborative work
+ faster design and development process
+ files canne sent to 3D princes to make models

• expensive to set up
• software requires regular updating
• not always conventional for quick recording of ideas

Question 2

Give 5 capabilities of 2D and 3D CAD software

Answer 2

designs can be rotated and viewed form any angle
ideas can be developed more quickly than physical models
editing tools accelerate the development of ideas
client and marketing feedback is possible through rendering
photo realistic rendering

Question 3

In industrial files, what features does CAD offer?

Answer 3

ability to incorporate standard component files
2D working drawing with multiple layers to show various elements of design e.g. structure, wiring
simulations to anticipate machinery strategies and problems

Question 4

Give an examples of a CAD/CAM simulation

Answer 4

cutting path of a CNC laser

Question 5

Give 3 advantages of simulations

Answer 5

highlights potential problems and shows if the production will be as expected
indicates how long the item will take to be machines
3D printer models appearance and support material requirements can be assessed

Question 6

Describe CNC laser cutting

Answer 6

uses high energy laser beam to cut or vaporise materials
compressed gas blows waste materials away to leave clean edge
X and Y axes, speed and power are programmed to cut and engrave a range of materials

Question 7

Describe CNC routing

Answer 7

use high speed cutters to machine 2D CAD file in sheet materials
cutter moves in X Y Z axes

Question 8

Describe CNC milling

Answer 8

machines move work piece in the X,Y and Z axes
more robust than routers with slower speeds to suit metal cutting
tools can be automatically selected to drill holes, cut slots etc

Question 9

Describe CNC turning

Answer 9

CNC lathes usually machine metals and plastics in bar form to create pre-programmed X and Y axis profiles
can automatically change tools

Question 10

Describe CNC plotter cutting

Answer 10

used to cut out shapes in compliant materials

usually pull material in and out of machine while cutter moves from side to side (X axis)

Question 11

What is virtual modelling?

Answer 11

use of 3D CAD files to simulate aspects of the performance of products before they are manufactured

Question 12

What is computational fluid dynamics?

Answer 12

simulation tool for fluid or gas flow flow in or around a product
test results can inform aerodynamic improvements
e.g. wind resistance

Question 13

What is finite element analysis?

Answer 13

analysis of stress in elements of a CAD design
allows designers to simulate forces, vibration or shock loads on products
saves money and time

Question 14

What is meant by rapid prototyping?

Answer 14

use of machines to produce realistic 3D models from CAD files

models can be made in range of materials

Question 15

Give 3 benefits of rapid prototyping

Answer 15

fast
can serve as moulds
modelling was previously high skilled, expensive and time consuming

Question 16

What is fused deposition modelling/ 3D printing used for?

Answer 16

building 3D model from 3D CAD files

Question 17

Describe the process of 3D printing

Answer 17

file is ‘sliced’ into layers that are extruded to build the product from the bottom up
FDM uses a very thin extruded thermoplastic filament to build
supporting scaffold is broken away or chemically dissolved after manufacture

Question 18

What is electronic point of sale?

Answer 18

computer based scanned barcode system for capturing data when consumers purchase goods
sales data and stock levels collected
customers’ email address and loyalty cards facilitate additional marketing opportunities

Question 19

What are computers used for in production, planning and control networking?

Answer 19

plan and control production
organise the availability or materials and components
co ordinate suppliers and customers

Question 20

What is a master production schedule?

Answer 20

software based system to organise and schedule product manufacture

Question 21

How does MPS organise availability of materials?

Answer 21

triggers and coordinates orders to material suppliers and control stock inventory
Kanban
RFID

Question 22

What is Kanban?

Answer 22

factor material and component monitoring and re-ordering system central to JiT

signal card

Question 23

What is RFID?

Answer 23

radio frequency identification tags

scannable electronic devices used to track parts and products

Question 24

What does a master production schedule organise?

Answer 24

availability of materials
scheduling of machines and people
co-ordinating suppliers and customers (EPOS)

Question 25

How is the scheduling of machines and people managed?

Answer 25

planning production schedules

networking with departments