general content Flashcards
automated production
the use of machinery or computer controlled equipment in manufacturing
market pull
a new product developed in response to a demand in the market or users
technology push
products developed as a result of new technologies
stages in product life cycle
1) introduction - following an advertising campaign, when a new product is introduced to the market
2) growth - growth of sales as consumers become aware of the product
3) maturity - sales are at their peak with companies hoping to achieve maximum sales
4) decline - sales fall as most interested customers already own the product or a new product has replaced it
sustainability
meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of the future generation
disadvantages of globalisation
- importing cheap products overseas leads to jobs losses in local society
- leads to increased use of automation also leads to job losses
- workers overseas are often paid low wages in order to keep efforts down and reduce job losses
- designers need to be sensitive to cultural differences
- mass chains of global companies can take away from local businesses
- cost to the environment due to carbon footprint from transportation
consumer rights act. 2015
- all goods must be of a satisfactory standard, as described and seen when purchased, and fit for purpose
- protects against poor services and faulty and counterfeit products, and you are entitled to a refund or repair if product fails to meet expectations
advantages of CAD/CAM
- saves on manpower and wages
- quality of design improved through precise design
- can be used to share and collaborate on designs more easily
- different parts of models can be saved and reused in other designs
- can undergo simulated stress testing
disadvantages of CAD/CAM
- needs specialist training
- often expensive to set up and high maintenance costs
- work can be hacked or unsaved
- leads to job losses in industry
CNC embroidery machine
- can be embroidered directly into a range of textile fabrics
- can be saved and repeated several times with the same high quality finish
vinyl cutters
- a pattern based in a CAD drawing that can be cut from a roll of self adhesive vinyl
CNC router
- a rotating router follows a CAD drawing to cut a path or shape
laser cutter
- use a laser beam to cut through a material, or may be engraved
- intricate patterns can be cut on most materials, however not all such as nylon and PVC can burn or melt
3D printer
- uses a thermoforming polymer which is heated and then extruded through a head to form a layer
- the product is then formed layer by layer
environmental directive
a law to provide protection for the environment
linear economy vs circular economy
- linear - raw materials are used to make a product and waste is thrown away in order to make products as cheaply as possible, with many environmental consequences - links to cradle to grave production, which is considering a product’s lifecycle until it is disposed of
- circular - a system that aims to minimise waste and extract the maximum possible use from resources - links to cradle to cradle production, which considers the complete life cycle including its reuse and recycle after initial use
6 R’s of sustainability
rethink (better ways to make it less environmentally damaging) , recycle (can components be recycled easily after its use), repair (can it be repaired easily), refuse (consumers may not buy product if unethical), reduce (can materials be reduced), reuse ( can it be reused)
life cycle analysis
an assessment of a product’s environmental impact throughout its lifetime
fair trade
- sets up partnership schemes between producers, businesses and consumers
- gives workers a fair share of the profits or fairer wages
- protects worker’s rights and protects farmers from price fluctuations
- often more expensive and could discourage consumers from buying product
carbon footprint
the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities
ecological deficit
a measure which shows that more natural resources are being used than nature can replace
carbon neutral
no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, so that carbon is offset
electroluminescent material
- made from a thin copper wire coated in phosphor powder
- produces a glowing light when exposed to an alternating current
- flexible, do not generate heat and are more reliable
quantum tunneling composite
- materials that can change from insulators to conductors when under pressure
- when compressed, the nickel particles make contact with each other, leading to an increase in conductivity