New and Emerging Processes and Technologies

Question 1

Artificial intelligence and Robotics

Answer 1

Use of computer systems to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence

• Collect information and improve performance
• Commonly used in production lines, displacing manually skilled workers
• Carry out repetitive tasks safely and to a high degree of accuracy

Question 2

Biometrics

Answer 2

For example automated passport checks or fingerprint scanners or reporting arrival or departure times

Question 3

Virtual reality

Answer 3

Increasingly used for training purposes
Expensive but allows training that would otherwise be impossible for example allowing pilots to practice emergency routines

Question 4

Drones

Answer 4

Used in numerous industries from retail to manufacturing.
They have a potential to carry out courier roles resulting in job loss but also be a need for more technically skilled people to manage an efficient drone delivery network.

Question 5

Miniaturisation

Answer 5

E.g. storage (hard drives), technological devices

Question 6

3D printing

Answer 6

A method of adding material in layers to build a solid form.
And additive manufacturing process.
The printer prints out thin layers of plastic based of a CAD file.

• Commonly used in prototyping and the creation of bespoke parts.
• Commonly prints plastics but can also work with metal and clay and bio-materials

+ rapid prototyping
+ lighter material

Question 7

Green, sustainable energy

Answer 7

• wind
• solar
• tidal
• hydroelectric

Question 8

Circular economy

Answer 8

Makes maximum use of resources and reduces waste whilst recovering materials at the end of the product’s life

Question 9

Recycling

Answer 9

Disposing of waste responsibly by re-using or using old products and making them into something new

Question 10

Continuous improvement

Answer 10

Processes can allow companies to make small improvements to reduce errors in waste and pollution emission (from manufacturing and waste disposal)

Question 11

Technology push

Answer 11

Research and development can lead to discovery of new technologies that can improve existing products, before consumers demand them

Question 12

Market pull

Answer 12

When product ideas are produced in response to market forces or customer needs

Question 13

Economies of scale

Answer 13

When companies seek to reduce the average cost per product whilst increasing the output produced

Question 14

Disruptive technology

Answer 14

Technology that displaces an existing technology and creates a new area of industry

• virtual reality
• Internet of Things
• drones
• robotics

Can allow smaller companies to take on large companies and challenge the way we work and live - create new market demand and thinking

Question 15

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Answer 15

The process of creating a 2D or 3D design using computer software.

Question 16

Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Answer 16

The use of software and computer-controlled machinery to automate a manufacturing process

Question 17

Informing design decisions

Answer 17

• trend/style
• culture/religion/faith
• ethics
• environment
• product enhancement
• inclusivity
• disabilities

Question 18

Fair Trade

Answer 18

A trading partnership that ensures workers in developing countries are given suitable working condition and are paid a fair wage

Question 19

Design for disassembly

Answer 19

When’s product can be taken apart and it’s parts reused or recycled when it has reached the end of its life

Question 20

Planned obsolescence

Answer 20

The practice of designing products that will have a limited lifecycle and that will become obsolete and need to be replace

Question 21

Product enhancement

Answer 21

Any change or enhancement to a product that improves its performance beyond its original capabilities

Question 22

Automation

Answer 22

Using automatic equipment in production

• uses computerised machines to manufacture repeatedly at a high speed and reduce errors

Question 23

Social and Ethical awareness

Answer 23

Products are made by real people so there are moral implications for all of us when we buy things.
Consider conditions of those involved in designing and making the products we buy.

E.g. the cotton industry - child labour and welfare of workers

Question 24

Nanotechnology

Answer 24

Technology on a microscopic scale

Ethics - people may not agree with using them in medicine to transport drugs as they don’t want artificial substances inside them

Question 25

Cloud computing

Answer 25

A network of online servers that store and manage data

Question 26

Internet of Things (IoT)

Answer 26

Where electronic devices connect within the existing internet infrastructure, to send and receive data without human intervention

• reduces downtime
• fewer problems and defects in final products

Question 27

Advantages of new and emerging technologies

Answer 27

• reduce manufacturing and production costs

- improve manufacturing speed, precision, efficiency and flexibility

Question 28

Disadvantages of new and emerging technologies

Answer 28

• unemployment
• negative impact on environment
• uses large amounts of energy resources

Question 29

Economies of scale definition

Answer 29

The cost advantages from business expansion (can depend on size, output or scale of production).

Question 30

Economies of scale advantages

Answer 30

• decreased cost per unit as fixed costs like machinery are spread out over more units of output
• more efficient manufacturing (including less waste)
• workers need less training so more efficient as they only become highly specialised in one part of the design
• production costs are cut by having factories in other countries such as China and Malaysia
• products and prototypes can be produced in smaller quantities but still benefit form cost reduction associated with large scale production
  ——companies can produce bespoke products that meet the needs of individual clients much easier
  ——can react to fashion/trends
  ——reduces storage costs of final products

Question 31

Virtual reality advantages

Answer 31

• increased flexibility to produce complex products of multiple materials and functions
• use of digital modelling and simulation tools to evaluate and plan manufacturing
• improved productivity and quality
• sustainable manufacture as a result of improved use of material resources and reduced energy consumption

Question 32

Maker movement

Answer 32

Recent advances to digital design, engineering and simulation are already making a huge difference to manufacturing enterprises and small businesses.

• affordable small 3D printers, scanners and CAD so it can be done at home
• ability to share ideas on internet (e.g. Etsy)

E.g. Pebble smart watches - began as a prototype produced at home, then raised $10 mill on Kickstarter before being launched commercially. This lead to research in wearable tech by larger companies like Apple, Samsung and Galaxy

E.g. British Atlas V rocket (2015) - Tim Peake uploaded code from small computers designed to enhance spacecraft sensors, satellite imaging, space measurements, data fusion and measurement of space radiation. The computers only cost a few dollars and we’re coded by children as part of the the Astro Ali project

Question 33

Virtual testing

Answer 33

Allows designers to test product before it is produced

Question 34

Ergonomics

Answer 34

The study of how we use and interact with a system

Provide maximum comfort for user

Question 35

Electric cars

Answer 35

• harmful lithium batteries

+ release less/no fossil fuels

Question 36

New and emerging technologies

Answer 36

New technology or something that is going to be developed in the next 5/10 years