Unit 7 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is vacuum forming used for?
Forming simple, shallow shapes (e.g. food packaging trays); ideal for batch production.
What is thermoforming?
Similar to vacuum forming but uses both heat and pressure; more detail (e.g. yoghurt pots).
What is calendaring?
Rolling heated plastic into thin sheets (e.g. vinyl flooring); used in mass production.
What is line bending?
Bending thermoplastics in a straight line using heat (e.g. acrylic signs); for one-off or batch.
What is laminating (layup)?
Building up layers with resin (e.g. GRP in boat hulls); often one-off or low batch.
What is injection moulding?
Injecting molten plastic into moulds (e.g. bottle caps); ideal for mass production.
What is blow moulding?
Used for hollow products like bottles; efficient for mass production.
What is rotational moulding?
Produces large hollow shapes (e.g. traffic cones, water tanks); medium batch or mass.
What is extrusion?
Continuous shaping of plastic (e.g. pipes, tubing); used in mass production.
What is compression moulding?
Moulding thermosets under heat and pressure (e.g. electrical plugs); medium to high volumes.
What is a gel coat in GRP used for?
Provides a coloured, protective outer layer during the layup process.
What are smart pigments?
Pigments that respond to changes — e.g. thermochromic (heat), phosphorescent (glow in dark).
What is one-off/bespoke production?
Single custom product (e.g. a prototype or sculpture); high cost, high skill.
What is batch production?
Limited run of products (e.g. seasonal packaging); flexible, needs retooling.
What is mass/line production?
Continuous production of large quantities (e.g. plastic bottles); low cost per unit.
What is a Unit Production System (UPS)?
Automated transport of parts between workstations (e.g. clothing manufacture); improves efficiency.
What is Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM)?
Focuses on reducing lead times for customer demand (e.g. fashion); highly responsive.
What is vertical in-house production
All stages of production done within one company (e.g. Tesla); more control, less outsourcing.
