March test P42-48 + P62-67 Flashcards
How does aesthetics influence the selection of materials or components?
- aesthetics should appeal to target market
- eg. shape, size, colour, surface finish and texture
How does functionality influence the selection of materials or components?
- material needs to be fit for purpose
- easy to work with?
- do its job?
physical and working properties on p30
How does availability influence the selection of materials or components?
- issues with supply can affect price of product
- easy to source?
- widely available and easy to deliver?
- available in stock forms and sizes?
How do social factors influence the selection of materials or components?
- designers have a social responsibility to consider what impact their products may have on the environment
- using materials from sustainable sources (eg FSC)
- sourcing materials that have a positive impact on farmers and workers (eg fair trade)
- using recycled products
How do cultural factors influence the selection of materials or components?
- the views of one culture may vary from another
How does cost influence the selection of materials or components?
- overall cost of design, manufacturing etc should not exceed selling price
- buying materials and components in bulk reduces cost per unit
- upfront costs increase (storage space/ potential wastage)
How do ethical factors influence the selection of materials or components?
- consider human rights
- make something functional, reliable and usable
- consider the user experience
- avoid using unethical materials (exploit the workforce/ damages the environment)
How do environmental factors influence the selection of materials or components?
- using sustainable materials
- sourced locally when possible
- how easy is it to extract and transport the materials?
- reused + recycled? biodegradable?
basically limiting environmental impact
What is the Forest Stewardship Council?
- any wood/ paper products that have logo come from a sustainable source
- sourced from sustainably managed forests
- selective logging and replanting to ensure supply doesn’t harm the forest environment
What is compression?
- pushing force is applied to either end of a material
eg a concrete pillar holding up part of a building
What is bending?
- both tension and compression
- tension at the bottom and compression at the top
eg an aluminium diving board
What is torsion?
- when a material is twisted
eg a brass key, a high carbon steel drill bit
What is tension?
- when a pulling force is applied to either end of a material
eg a nylon climbing rope
What is shear?
- acts on an object in a direction perpendicular to its length
eg a low carbon steel screw used to hang something on a wall
How does bending improve functionality?
- adding curves, arches + tubes adds strength to product using minimum amount of material
How does folding improve functionality?
- add strength + flexibility
- material bends easily
eg corregated cardboard
How does fabric interfacing improve functionality?
- adds additional layer to give
- structure
- shape
- support
eg shirt collars are interfaced to make them more stiff
How does lamination improve functionality?
- bonding two or more materials together
- strength + stability improved
- add to aesthetics (new finish)
eg plywood, laminated card
How does webbing improve functionality?
- strong fabric made from high strength material
- woven into flat strips
- used for items under high tension
- additional material used to stiffen products
- less material used when making them
What are product miles?
- number of miles a product travels from all stages of manufacture through to its final retail destination
once sold it travels to the consumer if recycled, components travel back
How are product miles a social factor?
- total prodcut mileage
- total CO2 emmissions can be calculated
- part of LCA
How are carbon emissions a social factor and how can we reduce it?
- consume energy while manufacturing goods -> emits greenhouse gases
- becoming more energy efficient, using low/ no carbon fuels/ using new technologies (eg. carbon capture/ storage)
How is mining a social factor?
- extracts minerals, metals and coal from the earth
- soil erosion
- air + water pollution
- loss of biodiversity
How is deforestation a social factor?
- permanent removal of trees
- loss of wild habitat
- increase in CO2 levels
- timber sourced from sustainably managed forest = new trees replanted to replenish supply
How is farming a social factor?
- some farming practices have an impact on the environment
- pollutants in soil run-off from the soil
- harms habitats and wildlife
What is the order of the six Rs?
- rethink
- refuse
- reduce
- reuse
- repair
- recycle
What is rethink?
- consider the design and its impact
- is there a better way to produce it?
responsibility of designer and manufacturer
What is refuse?
- avoid using materials that are environmentally or socially unacceptable
- don’t buy a product if you don’t need it
responsibility of the consumer
What is reduce?
- make products that are durable and long lasting
- reducing consumption and waste
- reduce energy used and transport
responsibility of the designer, manufacturer, and consumer
What is reuse?
- product may be used again by another person/ for another purpose
repsonsibility of the consumer
What is repair?
- repair where possible rather than replace
responsibility of the designer, manufacturer, and consumer
What is recycle?
- take the product apart and convert parts into usable materials once again
responsibility of the designer, manufacturer, and consumer
What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
- workers should be provided with safe working conditions, training + safety equipment for their environment
- laws in place to ensure safe working hours, appropriate wages + working conditions
- not all countries offer same protection
- low paid workers may be exploited