Section A Timbers Flashcards
Where is hardwood found and what type of tree is it. How long do they take to grow?
They are found in deciduous trees with broad leaves.
They take long periods of time to grow, up to 100 years.
They are very expensive and rarely planted.
Most of hardwoods are grown in tropical forests like Amazonian Climates while others grow in temperature climates.
They have smaller growth rings than softwoods
What are some examples of hardwood
Oak, Beech, Mahogany, Balsa, Jelutong, Birch and Ash
What is oak
Oak is a tough, heavy and expensive hardwood. It has a very unique and attractive appearance, and it is open grained.
What can oak be used for
Furniture
Doors
Floor
High end construction
What is open grained
When the pores of the wood are easy to see
What is close grained
When the pores of the wood are difficult to see
What is balsa
Balsa is a soft lightweight timber and it is coarse and open grained.
95% of it comes from Ecuador. Its very easy to shape, paint, glue and sand.
What can balsa be used for
Model making
Surfboards
Fishing boats
What is beech
Beech is also a very tough timber with both a close and straight grain.
It polishes well, easy to work and hardwearing. It has a light brown colour.
What can beech be used for
Furniture
Toys
Wooden tools
What is mahogany
Mahogany is a dark coloured close grained timber.
Its very easy to cut, shape, is available in wide planks and polishes.
What can mahogany be used for
Furniture shop fittings
Doors
Boat building
What are some examples of softwood
Pine, cedar and larch
Where is softwood found and what type of tree is it. How long do they take to grow?
Softwood comes from coniferous trees with needle-like leaves that normally stay on during the winter
Larch is an exception as it loses its needle-like leaves during the winter.
Softwoods naturally grow in colder regions such as Alpine climates.
Softwood trees grow quickly so their growth rings are wider making the grain wider.
This ability to grow quickly means that softwood trees can be used for timber after 20-30 years - making them cheaper than hardwood.
What is high impact polystyrene
High impact Polystyrene is thin, flexible and a lightweight sheet polymer available in lots of colours.
Its cheap, easy to cut, shape, bend and mould.
What can high impact polystrene be used for
Disposable plates
Plastic cups
Model kits
Trays
Containers
Vacuum forming
What is acrylic
Acrylic is a rigid hard polymer in a sheet form.
Its available in a range of colours and its easy to cut, shape, bend and mould. It has good impact resistance, however is 100% easily scratchable.
What can acrylic be used for
Glass substitutes
Illuminated signs
Aircraft canopies
Car light clusters
What is a polymer
When monomers join together to create large forms of molecules
What is wool, and what can it be used for
Wool is sourced from an animal sheep fleece.
It is warm, absorbent, low flammability, good elasticity and a crease resistant.
What can wool be used for
Warm outwear
Knitwear
Soft furnishings
Carpets and blankets
What is copier paper, how do we use it
Copier paper is used for printing, photocopying and general office purposes.
Its about 80gsm. It also has good a smooth surface, making it ideal.
What is cartridge paper, how do we use it
Cartridge paper is available in lots of weights.
Its thicker and more expensive than tracing and copier paper.
It has good a more creamier look in colour and has a slightly textured surface.
It is used by artists for sketches, draws and paints.
Its ideal surface fits good for pencils, crayons, pastels, watercolour paints, ink and gouache
What is tracing paper, how do we use it
Tracing paper is used for making copies of drawings and fine details.
Its thin, transparent, hardwearing and strong despite its poor use of thickness.
Pen mistakes can be scratched off via a sharp blade.
What is veneering
The term used to describe gluing a thin sheet of timber on unattractive wood to make it more attractive
What are the advantages of wind energy
It is renewable, meaning it will not run out.
It has a low cost for maintenance and operation
Creates job opportunities
They do not occupy a lot of space
What are the disadvantages of wind energy
Unreliable
Cause lots of noise and disturbance
Not the most aesthetically pleasing
Negatively affects wildlife if not carefully designed
We cannot generate it on demand
What is a non ferrous metal
Metals without iron
What are examples of non ferrous metals
Brass, copper and aluminian
What are advantages of stock sizes
Easy transportation and handling than raw materials
Standard forms and sizes are much cheaper than special sizes and forms
Processed in large quantities
Designers would commonly do this
What are disadvantages of stock sizes
Business’s reaction to unexpected changes
Unable to bulk buy discounts if brought in small quantities
Eg: If a heatwave causes a demand for ice cream, there would be a lack of stock and have to rely on suppliers
What is a textile
Textiles are made from fibres and classified as natural or manufactured. They are twisted into yarns before being made into woven, knitted or bonded fabrics.
What is felted wool
Felted wool is a woven textile. Like wool felt, it originates as wool roving but roving is then spun in thread after being cleaned and carded. The thread is then woven into wool cloth, which is then washed into hot water and dried on high heat
What is a composite material
A composite is a material made from two or more different materials that, when combined, are stronger than those individual materials by themselves
What are examples of composite materials
Chipboard, reinforced concrete, plywood
What are advantages of fibreglass
Low weight
Great strength
Corrosion resistant
Chemical resistant
Easy for installing and transportation
Withstands high pressures and loads without breaking or deforming
Doesn’t rust or rot
Resists chemicals and acids
What is fibreglass
Fibreglass is a common type of fiber reinforced plastic using glass fiber
What are disadvantages of fibreglass
High costs
Difficult to install
Can be damaged by hail
Not as energy efficient as other roofs
Discolouration
What is lever mechanism
Levers use mechanical advantage to make lifting or applying pressure easier. All levers are made of a bar or pivot called a fulcrum. Levers have three main parts.
What are the three main parts of a lever
Effort = this is the amount of force applied by the user, also known as input
Fulcrum = where the lever pivots
Load = the weight required to be moved, also known as output
What is mechanical advantage
Amount of help given using a machine in comparison to doing something with human effort, created by levers
What is the equation for mechanical advantage and what are the measurements
Load/Effort. Both measured in newtons
This could also mean
Output/Input
What are some classes of lever
First order, second order and third order
What is the function of a first order lever
It places the fulcrum between the load and effort.
If the load is closer to the fulcrum, it is easier to lift.
We can refer this to a seesaw, which places the fulcrum in the centre and allows equally weighted children to lift one another.
The load and effort can represent each side of the seesaw.
What is the function of a second order lever
Places the fulcrum at one end of the lever and the effort at the other with the load in the centre.
The closer the two are, the easier it is to lift the load.
Examples include wheelbarrows, nutcrackers and bottle openers.
What is the function of a third order lever
Places the effort between the fulcrum and the load.
If the effort and fulcrum are further apart, it makes it easier to lift the effort.
Third order levers do not have the same advantages of a first order lever or second order level, so are used less commonly.
Examples include tweezers or fishing rods.
What are the four types of motion
Oscillation
Rotary
Linear
Reciprocating
What is a linear motion
Linear motions move something in a straight line
eg: a train moving down a track
What is a rotary motion
Rotary motions allow something to move around an axis or pivot point eg: wheel
What is a reciprocating motion
Reciprocating motions have a repeated up or down motion or back and forth motion
eg: a pump or piston
What is an oscillating motion
Oscillating motions have a curved backwards or forwards movement that swings on an axis or pivot point
eg: a clock pendulum or swing
Advantages of sports textiles for athletes
Many textiles are used for the purpose of safety
It is comfortable sportswear which is the key for an athlete
They are restrictive fabrics which can inhibit performance in sport so non restrictive
Stretchy textiles result in wide range of movement and better performance
Disadvantages of sports textiles for athletes
Sticks to sweaty skin
Sensitive for high temperatures
Not sustainable
Not as breathable as cotton
What are the properties and uses of corrugated board
Corrugated board is used for packaging for products that need protection
Two or more layers of a fluted board sandwiched between board sheets, recyclable and impact resistant
What are the properties and uses of folding box board
Folding boxboard is used for cereal boxes, cartons and food packaging
It consists of a bleached pulp top layer, unbleached, can be scored without splitting the pulp middle layers, and a bleached pulp inside the layer
How can we reduce packaging costs
- Use less packaging material. Instead use lightweight paper or carboard, less tape and glue and smaller box sizes.
- Reduce the piece quantity. Instead, combine more than one item into a package or with similar weights
- Reduce labelling costs. Instead print a single label for all products into a box and then add stickers
What is the Internet of Things
The interconnection via the internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data
What are communication skills to meeting specifications
Listen actively
Respond in a timely manner
Paraphrasing
Sharing feedback
Showing empathy
How can we explain if a product fails to meet the criteria
Create a testable hypothesis
Analyse an assessment
First, focus on the problem, not the product
Ask open ended questions
Track interviews
Iterate our hypothesis as we go on
What is a pillar drill and how can we use it to make a hole
Pillar drills are free standing machine tools used by engineers that use high powered motors to rotate drill bits at varying speed.
These bits are then used to accurately machine, drill or tap holes in a variety of materials such as metal and wood.
How do we manufacture to a tolerance
If we engineer something from lets say timber or metal, we use digital vernier callipers to measure 1/100th of 1mm.
If we work with timber, tape measures can be used to measure a correct length of 1mm.
This tolerance is acceptable due to being a natural material
What is surface finish
A term used to refer to the process used to alter a metal’s surface by adding, removing or reshaping. The aim is to improve the aesthetic side and protect the metal
What is a knock down fitting
Knock down fittings are standardized fittings commonly used in flat-pack furniture1.
They allow customers to fit furniture together easily without the need for complex tools and equipment.
What are examples of knock down fittings
Plastic Block Fitting = A plastic block is rectangular with screw holes predrilled on two sides.
Rigid Joints= Rigid joints are typically triangular with a 90 degree plate that butts against wooden panels
What is CAD
Computer Aided Design
It refers to the use of computers in the design process of structure, objects and buildings
What are advantages of CAD
Ideas are drawn and developed quickly
Designs are able to be viewed from all angles and a range of materials
Time saving capabilities
Easier for designing and testing a range of ideas
Testing and consumer research can be done before costly production takes place
What are disadvantages of CAD
It is expensive to setup
It needs a skilled workforce
Computers can fail
It can be difficult to keep up with constantly changing and improving technology
What is batch production
Batch production is when multiple quantities of the same product are produced, eg: swimwear and fashionwear.
Advantages of batch production
Flexible production
Low costs
Better quality control
Reduced production time
Better resource utilisation
Disadvantages of batch production
High initial setup costs
Longer production times
Inefficient use of resources
Quality control changes
Excess Inventory
What is compressive force
Compressive force is the application of balanced inward (pushing) forces to different points on a material or structure that is with no net sum or torque directed so as to reduce its size in one or more directions.
It is contrasted to tension
What is sub assembly
A unit assembled separately but designed to be incorporated with other units into a larger manufactured product.
Advantages of sub assembly
Reduced training requirements
Cost reductions
Enhanced accuracy
Shortened production time
Quality improvement
Flexibility improvement
Inventory reduction
Reduced labour costs
Disadvantages of sub assembly
Increased
complexity
Expensive materials
Lack of good communication
Multiple steps in the process
Longer lead times
Increased dependency on suppliers
What is deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land which is then converted to non forest use
What are the effects of deforestation
It destroys ecosystems vital to wildlife and humans
Forests absorb excess carbon dioxide
When trees are broken down, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere
Deforestation threatens our environment, impacts human lives and kills millions of animals every year
