DT GCSE Key Words Flashcards
Mechanism
Series of parts that work together to control forces and motion
System
General name for a set of mechanical or electronic parts that work together to produce a desired output
Force
A push a pull or a twist
Arm length
Distance between force exerted and fulcrum
Effort
Input force
Fulcrum
Pivot around which a lever turns
Lever
Rigid bar that turns around a fulcrum
Load
Output force
Plastic memory
Ability of a thermo polymer to return to their original state after reheating
gsm
Grams per square metre
Micron
Small unit that measures length
One thousandth of a millimetre
Usability
How easy a product is to use, how clear and obvious the functions are
Ergonomics
The study of how we use and interact with a product or system
Anthropometrics
Study of the sizes of the human body
Phycological factors
Such things as mental reactions time, various acquired meaning associated with certain colours
Aesthetically pleasing
Beautiful to the senses
Aesthetic
Factors that concern the appreciation of beauty
Planned obsolescence
Business practise of deliberately out dating an item before ethe end of its life
Non-renewable energy
Sources that come out of the ground and can’t be replenished, finite
Lubrication
Substance applied to reduce friction between moving parts
Oil, grease, PTFE, graphite
Subsystem
Section with a specific role within a system
System diagram
Diagram of inter communications and flow of signals in an electronic system
Embedding
Customising a microcontroller to be permanently placed within a product
Microcontroller
Programmable electronic component adds functionality to a product
Physical quantity
Something that can be measured, light, temperature, speed
Program
Set of instructions to tell a microcontroller how to carry out a task
Sensor
Component that produces signal in response to a specific physical quantity
Signal
An electric voltage that is used to represent information
Latching
Switch that stays on/off after button is released
Momentary
Switch that only stays on when held
Cloud computing
Network of online servers that store and manage data
Internet of things
Electronic devices connect to send and receive data without human intervention
Nanotechnology
Technology on a microscopic scale
Economies of scale
Cost advantages that manufacturers obtain due to size, output or scale of product
Context
Situation a design solution is intended for
Stakeholder
Person, group or organisation with an interest in a product
Primary user
Person or group who will use a product
Ergonomics/Human factors
Scientific discipline concerned with interaction between humans and elements of a product
Culture
The way people people behave and relate to one another based on their ideas and activities
Globalisation
Businesses operating globally and developing international influence
Sustainable economic growth
Development that aims to satisfy economic needs of the present generation whilst sustaining natural resources for future generations
Usability
How easy a product is to use
Anthropometrics
Study of sizes of the human body
Aesthetically pleasing
Beautiful to the senses
Aesthetics
Factors concerned with the appreciation of beauty
Proportion
Relative scale and size
Symmetry
When elements are arranged the same way across an axis or around a point
Asymmetry
The absence of symmetry
Ethical
Honourable or correct
Twenty first century design
Current and forward way of thinking that evolves products for a preferable future
Market pull
A need for a product
Marketing
The business of promoting and selling a product
Technology push
Product development driven by research and development
Circular economy
Use resources for as long as possible then reuse and regenerate
Throwaway society
Society influenced by consumerism and excess
Emerging technologies
New technologies that are currently or in the next decade being developed
Planned obsolescence
Practise of deliberately outdating an item before the end of its useful life
Non renewable energy
Sources that are finite and can’t be quickly replenished
Renewable energy
Sources that are aren’t finite and can be naturally replenished
Focus group
Organised discussion about people’s views and experiences with a brand or concept
User design centre
Design strategy to make products useable focusing on user interaction
Systems thinking
Understanding of a product as part of larger system, ensures consideration of all aspects of a system with equal attention
Collaboration
Working with others for mutual benefits
