Topic 1
What is the name given to a twisting force in terms of biomechanics?
A. Torque
B. Compression
C. Tension
D. Turning
A. Torque
Which principle is used to warn consumers about any possible hazards based on potential problems in relation to the environmental impact of the production, use and disposal of a product?
A. Protection
B. Prevention
C. Precaution
D. Planned obsolescence
C. Precaution
Graphical models are useful for engineers, manufacturers, designers and clients, and vary depending on the context. Which of the following graphical models is most appropriate in the context of an architectural design to present to a client?
A. Assembly drawing
B. Perspective drawing
C. Isometric drawing
D. Orthographic projection
B. Perspective drawing
Polyester fibre is used in the manufacturing of seatbelts in cars due to its high…
A. stiffness.
B. elasticity.
C. tensile strength.
D. viscosity.
C. tensile strength.
At which stage of the product life cycle is the greatest investment required?
A. Launch
B. Growth
C. Maturity
D. Decline
A. Launch
Identify the type of anthropometric data that measures the physical dimensions of the human body while it is in a fixed, non-moving position. Provide an example.
Static Data.
+ example
State the term used to describe the total amount of energy required to produce a product, from the extraction of raw materials through to its manufacture and delivery.
Embodied Energy.
Identify the rapid prototyping technique that creates a 3D physical model by cutting and gluing together successive layers of paper, plastic, or metal foil
LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing)
Identify the scale of production most appropriate for the manufacture of complex plastic parts using injection moulding.
Mass production (or continuous flow).
What is the term for the process where a specific design or technological requirement becomes the industry norm, such as the QWERTY keyboard or a specific type of charging port?
Standardisation
Outline the maximum and minimum percentiles a shoe manufacturer would use when producing standard-sized footwear.
The 5th percentile (minimum) and the 95th percentile (maximum) to ensure the product fits the majority of the adult population.
List two consequences of a manufacturing process that uses large quantities of raw materials.
Reduction in/depletion of non-renewable resources ✓
Increased energy use from raw material extraction/during manufacturing ✓
Environmental degradation of areas/landscapes where materials are extracted
✓N
egative social impact on communities where materials are extracted ✓
Increases pollution (from processing high quantities of material) ✓
Added wastage ✓
Storage requirements (of materials) ✓
Outline why initial hand sketches are used during the development of a complex product
To quickly explore multiple ideas and communicate concepts early in the design cycle before committing to digital modelling.
Describe what happens when the stress on a material causes it to exceed its yield point.
The material goes from being elastic to plastic/undergoes plastic deformation;
Which means it will not be able to return to its original shape/deforms permanently;
A company charges different prices for different models of the same product.
What is the business practice the company is applying?
Provide an example of a company that uses this strategy.
Product versioning
E.g. Apple
Explain the differences between "comfort" and "fatigue" in the context of user experience.
dentify: Comfort is a positive feeling of physical and mental ease.
Elaborate: It is usually felt immediately and is defined by the absence of pain. For example, a chair is comfortable if it supports natural posture and feels soft.
Link: This creates a better user experience, allowing the person to focus on their task without distraction.
Cluster 2: Fatigue
Identify: Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion that reduces the ability to work.
Elaborate: Unlike comfort, fatigue is cumulative (builds up over time). A desk might feel fine at first, but poor posture will cause muscle ache or eye strain after several hours.
Link: Designers must reduce fatigue to prevent human error and long-term health issues, ensuring the user stays safe and productive.
Explain why "end-of-pipe technology" is considered the least effective way of cleaning up production.
It is a reactive approach that only addresses waste/pollutants at the end of a process; it is often expensive and fails to address the different types of pollutants released during manufacturing.
Explain why solid modelling is advantageous for a designer when calculating manufacturing costs.
Solid models allow the software to calculate the exact volume of the parts; this enables the designer to accurately determine material quantities and predict final production costs.
Compare the ease of recovery and disposal of thermoplastics versus thermosetting plastics.
Thermoplastics can be remelted and reshaped multiple times (easier to recycle); thermosetting plastics contain cross-links that prevent remelting, meaning they are usually disposed of in landfill or incinerated.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being a lone inventor compared to working in a design team.
Advantage: Creative freedom and complete ownership of the idea. Disadvantage: Isolation, lack of diverse skills (marketing/production), and the high risk of self-funding.
Explain one physiological benefit to the user of interactions through a mixed reality interface instead of a physical interaction with the product.
reduced fatigue/improved biomechanics;
as interface requires less physical effort/less force;
allowing greater productivity/less risk of harm to the user (when working over
long periods of time);
enhanced comfort;
as the software maps the size of the user's hand (and physical environment);
to automatically scale the interface/reduce reach;
Explain how the environmental impact can be minimized during the production, distribution, and disposal stages of an electric vehicle.
Production: Use recycled materials and automated/robotic systems for efficiency.
Distribution: Source components locally and design for assembly at the point of sale.
Disposal: Use "design for disassembly" to allow parts to be easily separated for repair or recycling.
Discuss how Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and instrumented models are used in the development of high-performance aircraft wings.
FEA is used to digitally simulate stresses and potential failure points on the wings; instrumented models (physical) are then used to collect real-world data during trials to validate the digital results, ensuring both structural integrity and material efficiency.
Explain one mechanical, one physical, and one aesthetic property of polypropylene that has led to its selection for use in the majority of food storage containers.
Cluster 1: Mechanical Property (Toughness / Impact Resistance)
Identify: Polypropylene is selected for its high toughness, which is the material's ability to resist the propagation of cracks and absorb energy.
Elaborate: Unlike brittle materials that shatter upon impact, a tough material like polypropylene can withstand a sudden "impact load." This means that if the container is dropped from a height, the plastic deforms slightly to absorb the kinetic energy rather than fracturing.
Link: This property ensures the product's durability in a high-risk environment like a kitchen, preventing the container from breaking during accidental drops and extending its functional lifespan.
Cluster 2: Physical Property (Low Density OR Low Absorbency)
Identify (Option A - Density): Polypropylene has a very low density (approx. 0.90 g/cm³) compared to other common polymers.
Elaborate: This allows the container to be structurally rigid and hold significant volume while remaining exceptionally lightweight.
Link: This reduces the total weight for the consumer to carry and lowers fuel consumption and costs during mass distribution.
OR
Identify (Option B - Low Absorbency): Polypropylene is noted for its low absorbency (hydrophobic nature), meaning it does not readily take in liquids.
Elaborate: This prevents the material from absorbing moisture, oils, or food particles during storage or the washing process.
Link: This ensures the container remains hygienic and dimensionally stable, preventing the growth of bacteria and ensuring the lid continues to fit perfectly over time.
Cluster 3: Aesthetic Property (Colorability / Pigmentation)
Identify: Polypropylene has high colorability, allowing it to be produced in a vast variety of colors and levels of opacity.
Elaborate: During the injection moulding process, pigments (masterbatch) can be added to the polymer to create consistent, vibrant colors that are integrated throughout the material rather than just on the surface.
Link: This allows for effective color-coding (e.g., green for vegetables) and enhances the visual appeal of the product, making it more attractive to consumers in a retail setting
Explain how mass production, dominant design, and cultural status made a product like the VW Beetle a "classic design."
Mass Production: High volume made it affordable and widely available.
Dominant Design: Its unique features (body shape/headlights) became an industry standard of its time.
Cultural Status: It transcended utility to become an iconic symbol associated with youth movements and pop culture, creating lasting nostalgia.