5 - Major developments in technology - Impact of microelectronics on designing and manufacturing

Question 1

Research

Answer 1

1950s (Pre-IC):
- Books, photography, writing letters, reading calalogues

Now:
- Internet searches, digital photography, PDF’s, mobile device use

Question 2

Generating and refining design ideas

Answer 2

1950s (Pre-IC):
- Sketching, drawing boards etc.

Now:
- CAD, graphics tablets, parts libraries, scanning, 3D rendering

Question 3

Design collaboration and communication

Answer 3

1950s (Pre-IC):
- Face-to-face meetings, landline phone calls, letters

Now:
- Web conferences, emails, texts, file sharing, online collaboration

Question 4

Modelling and testing ideas

Answer 4

1950s (Pre-IC):
- Handmade models, destructive testing, calculations

Now:
- Virtual 3D CAD models, FEA, complex computer tasks

Question 5

Manufacturing

Answer 5

1950s (Pre-IC):
- Skilled operation of manual machines, manual handling

Now:
- CNC machines, robots, computer monitored JiT systems, 3D printing

Question 6

Quality Control (QC) and testing

Answer 6

1950s (Pre-IC):
Manual and visual inspections using verniers and gauges, basic lab equipment

Now:
- Automated scanning, digital imaging, probe measuring (linked to computers)