chapter 6 technology

Question 1

pros of emails (5)

Answer 1

• quick
• big address books can be complied for mass-mailing
• orders/payments can be made
• no postage cost
• emails can be sent on the move

Question 2

cons of email (3)

Answer 2

• junk mail clogs up server + slows down internet
• hackers can gain info about your personal info
• don’t know if the person you’re communicating with is acc who they say they are

Question 3

what’s EPOS? and what does is do?

Answer 3

electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) systems- used to gather + record info when items are scanned at checkouts

Question 4

what info do retail codes usually give info about?

Answer 4

the products country of origin/ manufacturer

it’s specific product code

Question 5

what happens when a product is passed over the laser scanner?

Answer 5

the barcoded item is identified by its unique code and its sale is recorded on a computer ,
the computer monitors sales across the whole shop which gives the company control over theft, wastage and damage

Question 6

EPOS benefits for supermarkets and manufacturing industries (5)

Answer 6

• quick, efficient sales + ordering processing
• barcode search makes checking stock levels easy /quick
• ability to adjust +record stock levels on daily basis
• can generate daily reports
• easy to keep customers/suppliers details e.g. what their favourite items are .

Question 7

what’s bluetooth?

Answer 7

open wireless system that uses radio waves to exchange data over short distances between mobile + fixed devices which takes place over a personal area network (PAN)

Question 8

pros of bluetooth (3)

Answer 8

• low power consumption
• devices don’t need to be in line of sight to work as they use radio waves
• higher powered devices can work up to a range of 100m so systems can be installed in places e.g. railway stations

Question 9

cons of bluetooth (3)

Answer 9

• games controllers rely on bat power + can run out mid game
• services can be interrupted by power failure which can result in data being lost in transfer
• lack of security- bluejacking and bluebugging

Question 10

what’s a video conference ?

Answer 10

a communication system that allows 2 or more people in different locations to have an interactive video + audio conversation

Question 11

pros of videoconferencing (5)

Answer 11

• saves money
• saves time
• better for environment
• efficient
• cuts down on travelling

Question 12

cons of videoconferencing? (3)

Answer 12

• expensive to set up all electrical appliances
• internet speed can vary
• some users aren’t comfortable talking to a camera

Question 13

what do designers use computer-aided design (CAD) for?

Answer 13

they can create, develop ,record and communicate w/others anywhere in the world

Question 14

what do designers use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) for?

Answer 14

to translate design data into codes, and programs into manufacturing data- enabling computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery to cut/turn products automatically/accurately

Question 15

what’s a virtual model(ling)?

Answer 15

virtual model- a computer model of a physical object

visual modelling- mainly used for visualisation purposes

Question 16

how are visual models tested and why?

Answer 16

using simulation programs that can be carried out in a virtual laboratory as it’s safer/cheaper to stimulate than to acc do (e.g. a stimulated car crash)

Question 17

4 pros of virtual modelling and testing

Answer 17

• products coloured/ textured to show what they’d look like irl
• designs can be easily changed
• files sent electronically (email) which saves time/money
• electronic files linked to CAM machines so prototypes can be manufactured

Question 18

2 cons of virtual modelling and testing

Answer 18

• software expensive

* takes time to learn to use software

Question 19

what’s laser cutting / how does it work?

Answer 19

uses a high powered laser controlled by a computer to cut various materials.
laser works by either melting/burning away material on a flat surface(can cut curves though)
the finished edge requires little surface finishing

Question 20

3 pros of laser cutting

Answer 20

• highly accurate + can achieve fine detail
• can work 24 hrs a day , 7 days a week
• easy to cut identical components

Question 21

3 cons of laser cutting

Answer 21

• initial capital outlay on machine is high
• lasers can damage eyes
• not effective in high polished mirrored surfaces

Question 22

what’s computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery?

Answer 22

used to cut and turn products / components automatically w/ accuracy and speed

Question 23

how does CNC milling machinery work ?

Answer 23

a milling machine used a cutter that moved up and down vertically while the work fixed to the table moves backwards, forwards and from side to side.
when carefully controlled the milling machine cuts curves, 3D shapes and profiles

Question 24

how do CNC lathes work?

Answer 24

used to turn products in the round. as the work is held in the chuck, the tool post moves to turn cylindrical products + sometimes took changed are automatic + all normal turning processes can be carried out

Question 25

4 pros of CNC

Answer 25

• can work 24hrs a day, 7 days a week
• extremely accurate / identical copies produced
• few manual workers required as labour costs are lower
• complex shapes can be achieved

Question 26

2 cons of CNC

Answer 26

• initial capital outlay on machine is high

* CNC milling/ turning needs specialised staff

Question 27

what’s rapid prototyping

Answer 27

process of automatically creating physical objects by adding materials in layers to build up a 3D object.
takes a vertical design from CAD packaging + converts into thin horizontal layers that sit ontop of each other

Question 28

what’s rapid prototyping usually used for ?

Answer 28

automotive + aerospace industries to produce prototypes quickly for testing etc

Question 29

5 pros of rapid prototyping

Answer 29

• quick
• full 3D complex shaped products can be formed
• 3D model easier to handle than a 2D image
• products can be developed + tested easily
• few manual workers so labour costs are lower

Question 30

2 cons of rapid prototyping

Answer 30

• initial capital outlay in design is high

* models sometimes fragile + break easily