Production Aids Flashcards
Production Aid Definition
A production aid is something that assists the manufacture of a product in some way.
What are Templates
This is something used to draw or cut around to produce a shape identical to it (They are generally used to mark out points, which doesn’t exactly aid production).
What metric decides what material a template is made of
If it’s a template that will be used a little, it may be made out of paper or card, however, if it’s going to be used over and over again, then a better material may be a metal.
Advantages of using Templates
- Can be used in commercial and one-off manufacture
- Can be copied by hand and through CAD
- Helps to ensure the quality of the final outcome
- Ensure the item is accurately made, especially in the case of more than one item being produced
- Ideas can be replicated exactly.
What are Moulds
Moulds are hollow shapes used when casting metal or a plastic resin. The shape of the mould determines the shape of the final product.
What is a Former and how does it work?
A rigid shape that is used so other materials take its form. It helps shape a material.
A softened material takes on the shape of the former when heated. When it hardens, it is removed, leaving the mould ready to be used again.
Positives of Measuring
- Can be used in commerical and one-off manuafacture
- A range of tools to aid accurate measuring
Examples of Tools used to Help Meaure things:
- Tape Measure
- Mitre Square
- Tri-Square
- Drawing Board
- Set Square
- Protractor
- Compass
- French Curves
- Marking Gauge
What is a Reference Point, when is it Identified, and where usually is it?
A reference point is a point where measurements are made from - this could be the corner of an object.
It is identified before making any marking out process. If needed, the reference point will be mchined first so it is accurate and all measurements taken from that exact point
For most work, the reference point will be a square edge or corner.
What are Patterns and how are they used
Patterns are replicas of the product that is to be made. The accuracy of the pattern is directly related to the quality of the product to be made.
A pattern is a collection of shapes (similar to a template) that are attached to the surface of the material to aid shaping it. For example, a tailor making a garment could use a pattern to mark the required shapes for the garment onto a piece of fabric to then be cut out and assembled.
What is a Die Cutter
A die cutter is used to stamp out an area of a material.
What are Die Cutters used for
Shapes in a card can be created in a number of ways. The traditional way is to use a hollow die, which works in a similar way to a pastry cutter (or a hole punch, for example).
Advantages of Die Cutters
- Can be used in commerical and one-off manufacture
- Ensure is accurately made, especially in the case of more than one item being produced
- Shapes can be cut out exactly and accurately
What is a Jig
A device that is specially made to perform a specific part of the manufacturing process. They are generally used to hold things together in the fabrication process (when joining together certain parts and materials of different parts of a product).
A guide for tools to cut/drill or position correctly. Often used to cut several identical items quickly.
What do Jigs aid/help with
-Speed up the manufacturing process
-Reduce the risk of human error/make the
process safer to carry out
-Increase accuracy
-Increase consistency
-Reduce waste
