Technology Gcse Flashcards
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of refining the design of products to optimise them for human use.
What is Anthropometric data?
Antropometric data is the study of human bodysizes and size subsequanity design product.
What is Aesthetics?
Aesthetis is primarily our perception of a products visual impact although it also relates to other senses such as hearing, touch, smell and even sometimes taste
What do aethetic designers consider when improving a product? ( 6 cards) (shape)
Shape:
The shape of a product has a big influence on its aesthetic appeal. Some are angular with straight edeges and some products use curves to provide both performance and enhancement. Some products have such distinctive shapes that they are very recognisable as a particular brand. Examples Princles, Kit Kat??
What do aethetic designers consider when improving a product? ( 6 cards) (Form)
Form:
Form can be described as the overall shape, profile or visual appearance of a product. Examples of products designed purely with form in mind would be watches, shoes and bags
What do aethetic designers consider when improving a product? ( 6 cards) (colour)
Colour:
Colour is very much personal taste but designers use colour to hep define the product’s function. Eg, television and audio equipment is ofter black/brushed steell, children’s toys bright primary colours, safety equipment bright red/yellow. Often colour is used to define a product that is intended to be used by male or female.
Colour choice of key components on a product not only provide aesthetic appeal but also have ergonomic uses for example light on a car dashboard or a remote control.
What do aethetic designers consider when improving a product? ( 6 cards) (texture)
Texture:
Designers use texture to enhance the shape of a product. For example a hairdryer might have the grip in a textured sureface for each but gloss or chrome finish on the body to enhance appearance.
What do aethetic designers consider when improving a product? ( 6 cards) (symmetry)
Symmetry:
The place of the light indicator or position of buttons on a remote will often be place symmetrically to improve ergonomics and aid the user in its use. Designers also use symmetry to provide aesthetic appear for example the fron grill or a car, electronic products like mobiles and laptops. Too much symmetry and shapes becxome complex and mathematical in appearance
What do aethetic designers consider when improving a product? ( 6 cards) (proportion)
Proportion:
Product dimensions are usually constrained by their function and/or technologies used within them. Designers need to ensure that their solution not only fit ergonomically but also fit visually. Products which have good proportion i.e. not too tall, not too wide are considered aesthetically plearing and attractive. If a product has too many buttons of the one size or if all the components are mathematically/equally devided out it can sometimes result in a rather dull design
What are Methods of Communication? (6 cards)
There are a variety of ways in which designers can communicate their ideas to others.
What are Methods of Communication? (6 cards)
(freehand sketching)
Freehand Sketching:
This allows the disigner to get ideas onto paper quickly and to communicate them to others. Sketches help the designer to refine, develop and improve ideas and acta as stepping stones onto final ideas. It gives the designer unrestriced freedom to be creative and make changes quickly and easily. Freehand sketching is basic and inexpensive.
What are Methods of Communication? (6 cards) (presentation drawings)
Presentation Drawings:
Presentation images that are sketched and then rendered are a step further than rough initial concepts and allow the designer to formally present an idea to a client. More time is spent on these drawings and they give a viewer a realistic impression of what the final product will look like. A range of ideas may be presented at this stage.
What are Methods of Communication? (6 cards) (working drawings)
Working Drawings:
Working drawings help communicate a design to the manufacturer. They normally consist of 2D orthographic drawings that are fully dimensioned. These can be hand-drawn to scale or produced using CAD software. Working drawings need to show every detail of the design if the product is to be manufactured exactly as the designer intended. Normally front, side and plan views are shown.
What are Methods of Communication? (6 cards) (mood boards)
Mood Boards:
Mood boards can be created to help inspire the designer during the idea generation stage. They are typically a collection or collage of images related to a set theme. The are primarily visual but can include text as well. Mood boards can be created by hand, the images being cut out and fixed to foam board or they can be digitally created usng photos or other images. A mood board can be a great idea if you are struggling to come up with creative ideas
What are Methods of Communication? (6 cards) (physical models)
Physical Mock-ups/Model:
Mock-ups and models that are made quickly from cheap materials can be used to help analyse and evaluate a design. Models allow interaction with a physical product and the limited tested of a range of factors such as size, proportion, stability, shape form etc. Generally made from cheap materials such as card or paper.
What are Methods of Communication? (6 cards) (CAD virtual modelling)
CAD Virtual Modelling:
CAD software is used to make a computer siomulations of a design. These can be tested and manipulated in the 3D digital workspace. While the design anot be handled the way a physical model could be the software allows viewing from various angles and offers precisely dimensioned parts that can be tested for alignment in assembly etc. A variety of surface finishes can be quickly added to the design and changes can be very easily made. CAD software allows designers to share their ideas easily and efficiently.
What is Thermoplastics?
Thermoplastics can be re-heated, re-shaped and recycled. Most commercial plastics are theroplastics. They are easy to cut, shape and finish to a high aesthetic standard and are readily available in sheets, blocks, tubes, rod, bar, pellets , powder etc. Although thermoplastics are very versatile and widely used, lthey are not always suitable for high heat.
Examples of Thermoplastics (5 cards) (Acrylic)
Acrylic:
Acrylic is used in several commercial applications and often used for display signs. It is popular in schools as a material used to fabricate products for several reasons. Acrylic is available in variety of colours and is transparent and plastic. It is cost effective, easy to cut shape and finish. It can be easily machined cut or engraved with CADCAM equipment such as a laser cutter. Acrylic can be also be press formed and blow moulded. It is not a toch as many other plastics meaning that it can be creacked if subjected to a fair degree of force.
Examples, safety glazing, visors, display signs, lighting fixtures, bathtubs.
Examples of Thermoplastics (5 cards) (rigid polystyrene)
Rigid Polystyrene:
Products such as disposable cups and cutlery are often made from ragid polystyrene since it is food hygenic. Schools made use of riid polystyrene for product manufacture sine, like acrylic it is cost effective and available in many colours (gloss and matt) though is is lighter and more flexible than acrylic and is useful as it can be easily vacuum formed. High impact polystrene (HIPs) as it is relatively though though it can be easily scratched
Examples, disposible plates, cups, cutlery, yogurt pots, toys, model kits
Examples of Thermoplastics (5 cards) (acrylonitrile)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadient Styrene):
ABS is a much tougher, harder and durable alternative to acrylice or rigid polystyrene albeit at a slightly higher price. ABS has a high level of resistence to corrosive chemicals compared to most plastics. Examples, keyboards, office chairs, airplane trays. power tool housing, lego, 3D printing
Examples of Thermoplastics (5 cards) (PVC)
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride:
PVC is wide used thermoplastic having many commercial applications. It is produced in two forms and is easy to tell the difference. PVC which is soft and flexible has been plasticised and is commonly used for clothing and electrical cables. PVC which is hard and rigid is unplasticised (uPVC) and is used for window frames and piping. PVC is widely used in the construction industry since it is tough and durable but is less common in school worshops as it can give off tosci gases when being thermoformed.
Examples, window frames, guttering, pipes. credit cards, electrical cables, clothing
Examples of Thermoplastics (5 cards) (Nylon)
Nylon:
Nylon can. be manufactured in different ways making it commonplace in products ranging from cars to clothes. Nylon is a very strong materal especially in terms of tensile strength. Nylon is ofter used for ropes and to reinforce rubber in car tyres. Nylon is also self lubricating making it ideal for gears. It has a melting point of 220 degrees making it very useful for engine components owing to it resilience to heat.
Examples, gears. tyres, castor wheels, ropes, cable ties, carpets, power tool housing, airbags, clothing, umbrellas
What is Thermosetting Plastics?
Thermosetting plastics can only be heated and shaped once. Once they are formed the molecules become interlinked and does not allow themn to be re-heated, re-shaped or recycled unlike thermoplastics.
They are less common than thermoplastics but they often have been mechanical properties and can resist higher temperatures and used in products such as saucepan handles, electrical fittings. They are usually available as granules powders, liquids and pastes
Examples of Thermosetting (4 cards) (melanine)
Melamine:
Melamine is a very hard, durable and head resistant plastic popular in kitchens and tableware. Often kitch cupboards and office desks are made from melamine which has the added benefit of being food hygenic and easy to clean and has a variety of aesthetic finishes such as wood gran effect. Care must be taken at installation as they can be easily chipped.
Examples, kitchen worktops, office desks, melamine tableware, ashtrays. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Examples of Thermosetting (4 cards) (polyester resin)
Polyester Resin:
Polyester resin is strong, siff and touch themosetting plastic. The marine industry as we know it owes much of it development to reinforced plastics which use polyester resin. It is used in building all sorts of boats from yachts to canoes. Polyester resin has very good resistance to water absorption and is obviously light in weigh compared with more traditional boat building materials such as wood metals. Despite its value polyester resin is losing avour to epoxy resin which has superior properities.
Examples, boats, anoes, kayaks, car bodies, patio furniture, suitcases
Examples of Thermosetting (4 cards) (epoxy resin)
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin is used in a similar way to polyester resin but given its greater level of toughness and strength it as become the more established resin for coatings and binding composites. Epoxy resin has excellent adhesive properities and can be used soley as an adhesive. It is more expensive than polyester resin it is more resistant to moisture and fatigue making it more durable and long lasting.
Examples, adhesives (industrial), paints/surface coatings. Encapsulating/coating electronic components, PCBs
Examples of Thermosetting (4 cards) (formaldehyde)
Urea Formaldehyde:
This is commonly produced as a stiff non-transparent plastic. It is very hard, has excellent tensile strength and is an excellent insulator making it ideal for electrical sockets.
Urea formaldehyde is also available as a low cost resin used in adhesives and as a binding agent for plywood and in particular MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)
Examples, electrical fittings, door handles, cooker knobs, adhesives MDF resin
What are Hardwoods?
Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (loose their leaves in winter). They grow slowly and are often not replaced when cut down. The wood is expensive and commonly used for fine furniture and wooden toys.
What are the types of Hardwood? (3 cards) (mahogany)
Mahogany:
Cost - high
Properties - reddish brown timbers. Strong, medium weight timer but the nature of the grain make it difficult to work.
Uses - vaneered furniture, doors, staircases
What are the types of Hardwood? (3 cards) (beech)
Beech
Cost - Medium
Properties - very light brown with characteristic speckles. Hard, very tough and fairly heavy. Not prone to splitting and has no taste or odour.
Uses - some saw handles, breadboard, kitchen utensils, toys and stools
What are the types of Hardwood? (3 cards) (oak)
Oak
Cost - high
Properties - beige-brown colour that changes to a very rich deep brown with time. Very hard, strong, heavy and durable. The harder, short-grained trees are more suitable for outdoor use.
Uses - furniture, kitchen units, staircases
What is softwood?
Softwoods, come from coniferous trees (do not loose their leaves throughout the year) these grow quite quickly, often in plantations and are more likely to be replaced when cut down.
What are the types if softwood? (2 cards) (pine)
Pine
Cost - low
Properties - the most commond softwood. Colour varies pale to reddy brown. Can be cut and machined easily. Is fairly hard and stable. can be used unprotected indoors but is commonly painted or varnished.
Uses - gates, floorboards, furniture, skirting boards, crates and pallets
What are the types if softwood? (2 cards) (cedar)
Cedar
Cost - high
Properties - straight grained that is knot-free. Very light in weight. Very durable, inside and outside. Quite soft
Uses - shed construction, quality fencing
What are maufactured boards?
Manufactured boards are man-made and are produced from waste wood left over from the processing of natural woods. They are generally cheaper and are more stable in that they will not usually warp or twist. They are also available in much larger sheets. They can be veneered are cheap but not aesthetically pleasing. A vaneer is a thin layer of a more expensive and attractive wood used to improve the appearance with the cheaper wood concealed on the inside.
What are types of manufactured boards (3 cards) (plywood)
Plywood
Cost - medium
Properties - strong in all directions, quite stable but can warp. A water-proof ply is available.
Uses - tabletops, worktops, door fronts, drawer bottoms, small boats (waterproof ply)
What are types of manufactured boards (3 cards) (MDF)
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)
Cost - medium
Properties - does not warp easily, cuts and planes well without splitting, need a finish
Uses - tabletops, worktops, veneered furniture, clock cases
What are types of manufactured boards (3 cards) (chipboard)
Chipboard
Cost - low
Properties - heavy, can warp easily, joining pieces together is not easy, needs a finish
Uses - cheap plastic coated furniture, foofing board, partitions
What are ferrous metals
Ferrous metals contain iron. Generally they tend to corrode and almost all are magnetic
What are types of ferrous metals (3 cards) (mild steel)
Mild steel
Composition - iron + 0.15-0.35% carbon
Properties - tough, strong, malleable and cheap. Rusts easily. Can be welded
Uses - nails, screws, bolts, car bodies, girders, washing machines
What are types of ferrous metals (3 cards) (high carbon steel)
High Carbon Steel (Tool Steel)
Composition - iron + 0.8-1.5% carbon
Properties - very hard and brittle. Less ductile and malleable than mild steel. Difficult to cut
Uses - hand tools usch as hammers, chisels, screwdrivers, punches, files and saws
What are types of ferrous metals (3 cards) (stainless steel)
Stainless steel
Composition - chromium (18%), nickle (8%), magnesium (8%)
Properties - hard and tough, resists wear very well and does not rust. Difficult to cut and is expensive
Uses - sinks, cutlery, teapots, saucepans, medical equipment
What are non-ferrous metals?
Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron and are not affected by magnetism
What are types of non- ferrous metals (3 cards) (aluminium)
Aluminium:
Composition - pure metal
Properties - Strong, light soft, easily shaped and silver in colour. Difficult to join, corrosion resistant.
Good conductor
Uses - kitchen foil, drinks cans, cooking utensils, packaging, window frames, aircraft (Duralumin)
What are types of non- ferrous metals (3 cards) (brass)
Brass
Composition - copper + zinc
Properties - heavy, quite hard and strong. Attractive material which is malleable, ductile and corrosion-resistant.
Uses - electrical fittings, door handles, valves, ornaments, musical instruments.
What are types of non- ferrous metals (3 cards) (composition)
Composition - pure metal
Properities - tough but easily shaped and soldered as quite soft. Excellent conductor and corrosion resistant
Uses - hot water cylinders, electrical wire, plumbing fittings, pipes
