Keywords Flashcards
planned obsolescence
made to last a limited time, e.g a BIC biro pen or a disposable razor
anthropometrics
the study of human measurements
ergonomics
making sure that the product/environment work efficiently, how comfortable, easy something is to use
manufacturing tolerance
an acceptable amount of difference from standards (sizes), e.g 5+/-mm
quality assurance
the system set up to make sure products are always faultless
quality control
checking products/components meet the specifications
consumer pull/market pull
when consumers and their wants/needs drive the development of new products
technology push
science/research drives new product development
sustainability
MEETING THE NEEDS OF TODAY WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS TOMORROW.
A sustainable process or material is one that can be used without causing permanent damage to the environment or using up finite resources.
finishing techniques
making surface suitable for use: protection from dirt/damage, or to enhance the aesthetics
standard stock form
the forms/sizes you purchase materials in e.g rods, granules
design protection/patents
legal protection for the product invention being copied
production line
making/manufacturing products using an efficient system often in a factory environment, step by step process
risk assessment
assessing the dangers when working
product modelling
making models to assess shape and form - usually from cheap, readily available materials
prototype
a very detailed working model
design features
areas which need careful consideration
design movement
styles in history or the present which have similar features e.g colour, shape, inspiration e.g Memphis/Art Deco
just in time (JIT) production
relating to mass production, parts arrive just when needed for a specific order, they are not held in storage in a warehouse
stock control
managing materials throughout the production
bar code
a machine-readable code in the form of numbers and a pattern of parallel lines in varying width, printed on a commodity and used especially for stock control
design criteria
features which must be included to make a product successful
renewable material/resource
a material that comes from plants or animals e.g parana pine, leather
non-renewable material/resource
a raw material that cannot be replaced e.g oil, coal, natural gas
smart material
materials which change their properties in response to the environment
material properties
how materials perform in use e.g toughness, flexility, stiffness
product marketing
how companies try to sell their products e.g advertising, handing out free samples
brand identity
making customers aware of a company, the associations/expectations of that company
scale of production
a number of products made together (mass/batch/continuous)
product evolution
how products develop over time (think mobile phones)
BSI kite mark (British Standards Institute)
the product has been tested independently by the BSI for quality and safety, this product can display a kitemark.
Conformité Européene symbol (CE)
self-awarded, the product has been tested by the manufacturer, the product meets minimum European standards (lower than the kite mark)
composite material
a combination of a metrix and a reinforcement, which when combined gives properties of the indvidual components e.g concrete, GRP
flat pack
a piece of furniture or other equipment that is in solid pieces packed flat in a box for easy transport and is assembled by the buyer
knock down fittings (KD fittings)
fittings are those that can be put together easily, normally using only a screw driver, a drill, a mallet/hammer and other basic tools - they are temporary joints although many are used to permanently join together items such as cabinets and other pieces of furniture that are purchased in flat pack
one-off/custom production
making a single, often unique and bespoke product e.g crafted furniture
batch production
the production method used to make a specific number of identical products e.g bread
mass production
used to make a larger number of identical products on a production line e.g cars
continous production
always making large amounts of a product non-stop, e.g standard components
automated manufacture
manufacturing which runs continuously with the aid of machines and robots, no human intervention
inclusive design
designing something so that it can be accessed by all (considers elderly, disabled etc.)
product modification
changing products to make them work better
computer numerical control (CNC)
a production method using numbered codes to make something with a machines
manufacturing specification
a collection of specific manufacturing information like material and sizes
product specification
the list of criteria a product should meet
polishing
a surface application applied to wood, metal and plastic
product assembly
build the product from parts
die cutting
a stamping process used to cut out shaped with a shaped blade — this is how nets for boxes are made
offset lithography
the process of printing from a flat surface treated so ink is repelled except where it is required for printing
flexographic printing
used for printing on flexible materials like crisp packets, plastic bags etc.
injection moulding
industrial process that injects molten plastic into a mould to make complex 3D shapes
vacuum forming
a plastic forming process that creates 3D forms like chocolate trays, commonly used in schools
laminating
covered with a layer of another material, more than 1 layer
target market/user
who the product is intended for
standard components
parts that are bought to use in a product - they are mass produced and meet certain international standards e.g screws
alloy
mixture of 2 or more metals
composite
combining 2 or more materials
consumer
person who will use product
feasibility
how realistic/possible something is to create
design icon
a design that stands the test of time, it may be groundbreaking, instantly recognisable, sets the benchmark for other products, often copied e.g iPhone
retro design
a design that is inspired by styles of the past but may include modern technology
continuous improvement
products are continually being improved and updated — they are developed/modified
hardwoods
woods from slow growing, deciduous trees with brad leaves
softwoods
wood from fast growing, evergreen trees with cones/needles
manufactured boards
man-made timber boards from glued pieces e.g MDF, plywood, chipboard
ferrous metals
these metals contain iron
non-ferrous metals
these metals do not contain iron
thermoplastics
plastics which can be re-heated and re-shaped into new products, e.g PP, acrylic, PET
thermosetting plastics
plastics that cannot be re-shaped as they set with heat e.g urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde
carbon footprint
the amount of harmful greenhouse gases/carbon emissions released during a product’s life cycle
5th to 95th percentile
ignoring the extremes within the population
adhesive
compound that bonds materials together (glue)
aesthetics
features making products visual appealing
analysis
discussing important features of a problem
product analysis
discussing important features of a product
automation
production method without human intervention
biodegradable
disintegrates/decomposed naturally when exposed to elements
blow moulding
using air to form plastic products such as drinks bottles
board
paper material wishing over 200gsm
brand identity
creating an identity/image which appeals to customers, associations with the company
CAD models
models designed digitally using software
forging
hammering hot metals into shape
contemporary
belonging to the present day, modern
anthropomorphism
using human features on an object to improve human interface
blister packaging
packaging using a pre-formed blister and printed paperboard card which has a heat-seal coating
CMYK
an abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and black
corrosion
the deterioration of metal usually caused by a chemical reaction and often linked to its environment
dowels
circular sectioned pegs made from beech or other hardwoods
electronic data interface
the transfer of structured data from one computer system to another without human intervention
empirical design
a trial and error approach in design
extrusion
a technique involving the melting of raw plastic which is then turned into a continuous profile
galvanising
the process of coating steel with a thin layer of zinc to prevent corrosion
laser cutting
tools for cutting, scoring and engraving, they use an infrared beam to laser out waste
line bending
the hearing and bending of a thermoplastic sheet
orthographic projection
drawings showing three dimensions in2D
exclusive design
excluding people by failing to meet their needs
piezoelectric
describes the ability of some materials to generate electricity when deformed by mechanical pressure. This effect is also reversible, causing piezoelectric materials to deform when a small voltage is applied.
point-of-scale
where the product is displayed for sale. A POS is often part of a new product launch. It may be a unique display stand with key information about the product.
presentation drawings
accurate visual representations showing, for example colour, tone and texture that are suitable to present to the client
primary research
this is research where you have found out the information for yourself. This might include interviews with experts, material tests and product analysis.
seasoned
all natural wood is seasoned to remove moisture. The process of seasoning involves drying in a controlled way to prevent twisting and warping
ultrasonic welding
the use of very high frequency vibrations to generate heat within the area to be joined, thereby allowing the materials to fuse together
