Technology Flashcards
Technology
Technology is the use of tools, machinery and computers to help produce a good or service. (AO1)
CAM
Technology that uses software to run machinery such as robots in order to create products on a production line. (AO1)
CAM can cut costs in small businesses. Tailors and dressmakers can use CAM machines to cut material in the most economical way, ensuring waste is minimised. It can save costs on labour and is more time efficient.
A small business may struggle though as technology may be too advanced, may require skilled workforce, trained staff would be required.
CAD
computer aided design is an interactive computer system which is capable of generating, storing and using computer graphics. It assists design engineers in solving design problems.
CAD has reduced the time length between the initial design concept and actual production.
Can identify design problems at an early stage, preventing the need for expensive reworking of ideas and reducing the chance of faulty products reaching the market.
Robotics
The more automated the technology is and the more it can determine its own behaviour, the more likely it is to count as robot.
Advantages and disadvantages of robotics
Advantages:
- Won’t need as many employees so won’t have to pay salaries
- Avoids human error
- Continuous production
- Decrease long term labour costs
- Repetitive tasks robots won’t become demotivated
Disadvantages:
- Expensive to purchase, maintenance, fix if broken, upgrading
- Redundancy costs
- Time consuming to implement
- Loss of human touch
- Unhappy employees
Overall anaylsis of technology
Advantages:
- Improved quality – Thanks to their high precision and the ability to do the same thing in the same way day after day.
- Faster innovation – It is much easier, and less expensive, to model and test new products using CAD and computer modelling.
- More effecting marketing and sales – marketing new products encourages consumers to dump old products and buy new ones on a regular basis.
- Less dependency on labour – important to business in reducing costs
- Increased productivity
- Reduced waste and costs
- Improved communications
Disadvantages:
- All technology costs money
- Technology can become obsolete quick
- Technology does not always work or there are huge cost overruns
- Number of different labour costs related to implementation of technology
- Some workers likely to lose their jobs, especially those who aren’t adaptable.
- Workers who remain after redundancies have occurred may feel less secure and less motivated in their work.
