Evaluating new and emerging technologies to inform design decisions Flashcards
budget constraints
critical evaluation
- how much are customers prepared to pay
- cost affecting material selection?
- will new tech maximise profit?
- cost savings from speed of manufacture, reduction in materials, reduction in size
timescale
critical evaluation
- time investment in staff training
- production times
- what lead times do customers expect?
who is the product for?
critical evaluation
- how can new tech help the product fulfil customer needs?
materials used
critical evaluation
- testing materials
- will improvements outweigh increased cost?
- sustainable?
manufacturing capabilities
critical evaluation
- new tech influcences the way products are made
- automated assembly lines: high-quality, customised products?
- can new tech enable a flexible reaction to demand?
natural disasters
inform design decisions
- new tech helps reduce environmental impact
- predict extreme weather patterns
- better designs, like earthquake-proof buildings
medical advances
inform design decisions
- biotechnology (e.g. prosthetic limbs)
- medical equipment (MRIs)
- medical advances that allow people to live longer also create a greater need for supporting the elderly
travel
inform design decisions
- more comfortable
- more safe
- more efficient
- but environmental impact is still a concern, speed of travel still relitavely the same
global warming
inform design decisions
- emission of greenhouse gases
- new energies, new low/zero-carbon tech
- ensuring sustainable development
communication
inform design decisions
- now cheap, quick, global, and easy cause of internet
- designers shouldn’t assume target audience has access to hardware, software, or power sources
where it was made
ethical considerations
- cheap labour in LICs: save costs, but exploits workers
- new tech produces less pollution and waste
who was it made by
ethical considerations
- hiring low paid workers in LICs: exploitation, such as child labour
- rights of workers should be high priority
- check health and safety rules/building regulations in factory location
who will it benefit
ethical considerations
- new tech: cheaper, widely available, higher quality products
- benefit consumer: makes their life easier
- manufacturing new products can create jobs
fairtrade
ethical considerations
- tackles poverty and injustice
- ensures farmers and producers in LICs are paid a fair price for their goods
- working conditions: prevents child and enforced labour, and discrimination by gender
use of materials
environmental considerations
- fewer materials should be chosen
- ensure they are recyclable, lighter, and less toxic
- consider the way materials are mined
carbon footprint
environmental considerations
amount of CO2 emissions attributed to an entity (business or person)
reduce carbon footprint by…
* maximising energy efficiency
* analysing supply chain
* recycling
* using renewable energy
* identify carbon offsetting methods, reduce overall emissions
energy use and consumption
env considerations
- extraction, transport, and emissions of fossil fuels harms environment
- renewables impact habitats and water usage
- transporting goods burns petrol
- companies should use energy efficient vehicles to transport products
- energy cleaner = costs more
life cycle analysis
env considerations
- raw material extraction and processing
- product assembly
- product distribution
- product use
- product disposal OR recovery at end of useful life
what are SMAs
can be plastically deformed and return to original shape when heat or current is applied, e.g nitinol
* glasses frames
* greenhouse window openers
* medical stents
adv/disadv. of SMAs
+lengthen life of product
+reduced overall size, so less complex
-expensive
-continuous use causes metal fatigue
what are nanomaterials
made of tiny components less that 100 nanometers
* fire retardants
* sunscreen
* tennis rackets
adv/disadv of nanomaterials
+large SA improves strength, elasticity, conductivity, and absorbency
+combines properties: lightweight but robust and scratch-resistant
-unusual physical properties needs specialist risk assessment
what is photochromic glass
darkens when exposed to light and reverses in the dark
* sunglasses
* cockpit windows
adv/disadv of photochromic glass
+adapts easily to changing conditions
+undergo many cycles without performance change
-may be slow to react
-not user-controlled reaction
what is reactive glass
electrochromatic tech to chanbge from transparent to opqaue
* welding masks and goggles
* windows
adv/disadv of reactive glass
+retains heat, reduced energy bills
+instant privacy without permenant blocking of light
-expensive
-requires electricity source
what are piezoelectric materials
- SENSORS: generate electric charge when compressed
- ACTUATORS: generate movement when electric charge applied
adv/disadv of piezoelectric materials
+sustainable
+low maintanence
+compact size, useful in micro-electronics
+actuators: high response speed w/ large force
-wear out
-temp, load, and voltage limitations
what are temperature-responsive polymers
change physical properties with a change in temperature
* e.g. dexcom (delivers drugs in a controlled way) (sensors and gel activators)
adv/disadv of temp responsive polymers
+useful in biomed
-still being researched, wider application may take time
what are conductive inks
contain pigments allowing small currents to flow through, even when dry
* silver, graphite, carbon
* improvising or repairing circuits on printed circuit boards
* printing RFID tags for tickets
adv/disadv of conductive inks
+easy to use
+lighter and more economical than traditional circuit boards
+low waste
+ink can be folded
-silver is expensive
-difficult to get circuits right
what is concrete
made of gravel, sand, cement, and water
proportions can depend on use
tensile strength can be improved by steel rods: reinforced concrete
adv/disadv of concrete
+excellent compressive strength
+cheap
+last 100 years, additives prevent seawater/acid attack
-low tensile strength
-damaged by corrosion of reinforcement bars, heat, and freeze-thaw
what is plywood
wood veneer bonded with glue
odd no. of layers to balance the stresses arround central core, stable in all directions
veneer’s grain direction run in 90 degrees, inc stability
adv/disadv of plywood
+very good stability
-some plywood will come apart if layers become wet
what is fibre/carbon/glass composite
plastic reinforced with glass or carbon fibres (carbon fibre/fibreglass) with polyester resin
* GRP: easily formed into shapes, large structural items
* CFRP: more expensive than glass fibre but stronger, used in body armour/propellor blades/gold clubs
adv/disadv of glass/carbon fibre
+high strength:weight ratio
+sanded for smooth finish, and painted
-breathing in fibres can cause respiratory problems
what are reinforced polymers
resin combined with cotton fabrics to make inflammable laminated plastic sheets/rods/tubes
adv/disadv of reinforced polymers
+half the weight of aluminium
+tough
+good dimensional stability
+insulating properties at high temperatures
+weatherproof and do not need further treatment
-expensive
what are robotic materials
materials that take input from the surroundings and react to their surroundings automatically
adv/disadv of robotic materials
+react to surroundings w/o a computer
+react quickly, appropriately, by themselves
+change colour and shape
-expensive and complex
what are agrotextiles
improve or increase agricultural production
* shading
* thermal insulation
* netting
* wind-breaks
* weed suppresion
adv/disadv of agrotextiles
+durable
+reduced need for weed killers and pesticides
+cheap
-could chanege ecosystems
what are construction textiles
improve construction appearance and longevity
* structures: concrete reinforcement
* construction: awnings, scaffolding
adv/disadv of construction textiles
+strong and light
+reistant to degradation from chemicals/sunlight
+stable in diff heat conditions
-expensive and hard to source
-degrades overtime
what are geotextiles
when soil/rock needs to be stablised/filtered/drained/reinforced
adv/disadv of geotextiles
+dont rot
+deal well with water
+cost effective
-easily blocked by sediments
-ineffective if damaged
what are sports textiles
combine function with comfort for high performance
adv/disadv of sports textiles
+improve athletic performance
-expensive
-not env friendly
what is linear movement
straight line
one direction
what is reciprocation movement
back and forth
straight line
what is rotary movement
motion around a central point
what is oscillation
swings back and forth
in an arc
on a central point
what is class 1 lever
pliers
load at one end
fulcrum in middle
effort at other end (same direction as load)
large input movement –> small output movement but with greater force
what are class 2 levers
nutcracker/wheelbarrow
load in middle
fulcrum at one end
effort at other end (opposite direction to load)
same as class 1, but fulcrum at one end
what is a class 3 lever
tweezers
load at one end
effort in middle
fulcrum at other end
force applied by user > output force
formula for mechanical advantage
MA = load/effort
in newtons
formula for velocity ratio
VR = distance by effort/distance by load
formula for efficiency
efficiency = (MA/VR) * 100
what is a bell crank
class 1 lever
transmits motion through 90 degrees
(around a corner)
bicycle breaks
what is a reverse motion linkage
class 1 lever
reverses motion of input
windscreen wipers/gear levels in a car
formula for velocity ratio of a simple gear system
VR = no. of teeth on driven gear/no. of teeth on driver gear
formula for total VR of compound gear train
total VR = VR of gear train 1 (A to B) * VR of gear train 2 (C to D)
formula for output speed
output speed = input speed/gear teeth ratio
properties of mild steel
iron + 0.1-0.3% carbon
tough
ductile
malleable
poor corrosion resistance
properties of stainless steel
ALLOY of carbon steel and chromium
corrosion resistant
hard
tough
resists wear
difficult to cut
properties of cast iron
iron and high amounts of carbon
hard skin and soft core
brittle
self-lubricating
good in compression
magnetic
properties of aluminium
corrosion resistant
malleable
ductile
good conductor
excellent strength:weight ratio (lightweight)
properties of copper
good conductor
corrosion resistant
polishes well
malleable
tough
properties of brass
ALLOY 65% copper 35% zinc
corrosion resistant
harder than copper
good conductor
polishes well
properties of acrylic
tough
easily finished and cleaned
food safe
-easily scratched
+widely available
+no need for painting
+shaped using heat
-brittle
properties of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)
lightweight
high stiffness
impact resistant
-easily scratched
used for toys
+low melting point
-brittle when exposed to UV light
properties of polyester resin
rigid
brittle (unless laminated)
good insulator
good chemical resistance
used for boat hulls and sport car bodies
very lightweight and strong
properties of urea formaldehyde
rigid
hard
heat resistant
excellent electrical insulation
-can break if dropped (poor impact resistance)
