Section A Flashcards
what is automation
where machines are used to automate the manufacturing process
pros and cons of automation
pros - don’t need breaks, can be in hazardous situations
cons - costly, need to be programmed
pros and cons of robotics
pros - fast and efficient
cons - costly, need to be programmed
what is CAD
computer aided design, where computers and software is used to design things
pros and cons of CAD
pros - quick edits and prototypes
cons - have to learn software, can’t physically touch it
what is CAM
computer aided manufacture, a machine that makes something
pros and cons of CAM
pros - can mass produce stuff, high level of accuracy
cons - expensive, requires maintenance
what is rapid prototyping
uses CAM to create scale models to prototype quickly
pros and cons of rapid prototyping
pros - don’t have to hand make prototypes, high level of accuracy
cons - costs a lot
what is lean manufacturing
minimising wasted time and resources
what is a cooperative business
a business run by its members
pros and cons of cooperative business
pros - multiple opinions
cons - voting takes time, people don’t agree
what is a fairtrade group
work to help people in poverty by buying things at a fair price
pros and cons of fairtrade
pros - better for workers
cons - costs more
what is a crowd-funded business
raising money through people donating to get the business started
pros and cons of crown-funding
pros - get money so start the business, raises awareness of the business
cons - relies on other people, have do give funders benefits
pros and cons of virtual marketing
pros - more people will see it, don’t have to print
cons - unreliable, more expensive
what is sustainability
only using things in a way that doesn’t make resources run out for future generations
what is a lifecycle assessment
evaluate the impact of a product on the environment from getting raw materials to disposing
what is market pull vs technology push
market pull is where people want something so companies make it, technology push is where new technologies are used in products despite there being no market pull for them
what is responsible design
designing with the environment and any possible user in mind
what is a renewable vs non renewable resource
renewable means it is infinite/ replenishes faster than we consume it
what is a flexible manufacturing system
a system that can manufacture anything, not just one product (similar to PC vs embedded computer)
what is just in time manufacturing
only order materials when you need them, minimises storage space
what is a smart material
a material that changes depending on external stimuli
what is a modern material
a material that has only been discovered recently
what are technical textiles
textiles with enhanced properties
what are composite materials
materials that are made up of two or more other materials
what are the 4 types of movement
linear - forward
rotary - around a point
reciprocating - back and forth
oscillating - pendulum swinging
how does a lever work
a rigid bar that pivots on a fulcrum to decrease force needed to lift a load
what is a linkage
a mechanism made by connecting rigid parts to change the direction of a force
what is a gear train
multiple gears joined together to change the direction/speed of a rotary force, the higher the teeth ratio, the faster the output
what is a pulley
things connected you know what a pulley is but the more ropes there are the bigger the mechanical advantage is
what is a belt and pulley system
two wheels connected with a pulley, the bigger the diameter ratio, the faster the second one goes
what is thermal conductivity
the ability to conduct heat
what is fusibility
the ability to attach to other materials when heated then cooled
what is electrical conductivity
the ability to conduct electricity
what is density
how solid a material is
what is absorbancy
the ability to soak up moisture, light or heat
what is elasticity
the ability to be stretched and return to the original shape
what is malleability
the ability to be bent
what is ductility
the ability to be stretched
what is toughness
hard to break or snap
what is strength
the ability to withstand compression, tension and shear
what is hardness
the ability to withstand impact without damage
