Glossary Flashcards
Alloy
A mixture of two or more metals, or a metal mixed with other elements.
Anthropometrics
Body measurement data.
Batch production
The production method used to make a specific number of identical products.
Binding
Binding is used to hold sheets of paper together in the form of a book.
Biodegradable
Something that will decay over time. E.g Paper and card are biodegradable but glass is not.
BSI
British Standards Institution. It sets standards for the quality and safety of products and methods. A product that meets these standards can display the Kitemark.
CAD
Computer Aided Deisign
CAM
Computer Aided Manufacture
Carbon Footprint
The amount of harmful greenhouse gases produced by manufacturing and using products.
Components
The different parts that are assembled to make a product.
Continuous production
Making large amounts of product non-stop.
Copyright
Legal protection which prevents copying of written, drawn or recorded work.
Corrugated
With a ridged or grooved surface.
Design brief
The instructions that a client gives to the designer about what they want the product to be like.
Design specification
A list of criteria that the product should meet.
Disassembly
Taking a product apart to see how it was made.
Ergonomic
Easy and comfortable for people to use.
Ferrous
Ferrous metals are ones that contain iron.
Fibre
A thin, hair-like strand. Fibres can be spun into yarns and used to make fabrics.
Finishes
Finishes protect a product from dirt and damage and improve its looks.
Finite
A finite resource is one that will run out.
Freehand
Drawing without using any equipment - only a pen or pencil.
Gantt chart
A time plan that shows how long different tasks will take and the order they need to be done in.
gsm
Grams pre square metre, the way of showing the “weight” of paper or board.
Hardwood
Hardwood usually comes from trees with broader leaves (mainly deciduous trees, e.g, oak) It is usually denser and harder than softwood.
Hazard
A potential danger to animals or the environment.
Hue
Another word for colour.
ISO
International Standards Organisation. They issue certificates to organisations that meet international standards or quality.
Laminated
Covered with a layer or another material.
Market pull
When a product is made due to customer demand.
Market research
Asking the target market what they like or dislike about products, to help you with your design.
Marketing
How companies try to sell their products, e.g. advertising, giving out free samples.
Mass production
Used to produce a large number of identical products on a production line.
Model
A practise version of a product that you make during the development stage. It’s probably made from easy -to-work materials and might be scaled down in size.
Non-ferrous
Non-ferrous metals are ones that don’t contain iron.
One-off production
Making a single, often unique product.
Orthographic projection
A 2D scale drawing of a 3D object showing the front, plan and end views.
Patent
Legal protection that prevents people copying the design of a new invention.
Perspective drawing
Drawing 3D objects so that things which are further away look smaller.
Product analysis
Examining and disassembling a current product to get ideas for a new product or design.
Prototype
A full-size, working, one-off model of a design. A prototype is built to allow evaluation of the product before starting manufacturing in quantity.
Quality assurance
The system that is set up to make sure that high quality products are produced.
Quality control
The checks that are carried out on materials and products throughout production to make sure that standards are being met.
Registered design
Legal protection that prevents someone copying a design’s shape and appearance.
Renewable
A renewable resource is one that can be replaced by natural resources as fast as it is being consumed by humans, e.g, softwood trees in a plantation.
Risk assessment
Identifying the potential hazards at each stage of production and precautions which need to be taken to minimise risks.
Sketch
A simple-freehand drawing.
Smart materials
A material which changes its properties in response to a change in the environment.
Softwood
Softwood usually comes from trees with needle-like leaves (mainly evergreen trees). It is usually less dense and easier to saw than hardwood.
Sustainable
A sustainable process or material is one that can be used without causing permanent damage to the environment or using up finite resources.
Synthetic
A synthetic material is one that’s man-made.
System
A collection of parts and processes that work together to do a particular job.
Target market
The group of people you want to sell your product to.
Technology push
When advances in technology drive the design of new products and the redesign of old products.
Thermochromic
Thermochromic materials change colour with heat.
Thermoplastics
Plastics that can be melted and remoulded over and over again.
Thermosetting
Thermosetting plastics are ones that undergo a chemical change when heated which makes them hard and rigid. They can’t be remoulded.
Tolerance
The margin of error allowed for a measurement of part of a product. Tolerances are usually given as an upper and lower limit.
Tone
How dark or light a colour is.
Trademark
Legal protection that prevents people copying the symbols, logos or slogans that represent a company.
Working drawing
A detailed scale drawing that shows all of the dimensions of each part of a product, and the materials from which components are to be made.
