Design Technology

Design Technology

1. Woods

   • Hardwood
     • Beech
     • Oak
       • Tough, Hard, Visually attractive, Durable, Stable
     • Mahogony
   • Manufactured
     • MDF
       • Cheap
       • Available in large sheets
       • Stable (doesn't warp or twist)
     • Plywood
   • Softwood
     • Pine

2. Metals

   • Ferrous
     • Mild Steel
       • Properties
         • Tough Ductile Malleable Hard Durable
       • Advantages
         • Cheap Tough Easy to weld Strong
       • Disadvantages
         • Rusts easily
       • Iron and Carbon mixed together (alloy)
     • Stainless Steel
     • Carbon Steel
   • Non-Ferrous
     • Aluminium
       • Advantages
         • Can be recycled Easy to draw into thin sheets
       • Disadvantages
         • Expensive Difficult to weld
     • Copper
     • Zinc
   • Alloys
     • Brass
       • Advantages
         • Can be polished, Good conductor of electricity, Good corrosion resistance
       • Disadvantages
         • Expensive

3. Plastics

   • Thermoplastics
     • PVC
     • Acrylic
     • ABS
       • High impact strength, tough, scratch resistant, Durable, Plasticity, Good weather resistance
   • Thermosetting Plastics
     • Polyester Resin

4. Finishing techniques

   • Woods
     • Varnish
     • Paint
   • Metals
     • Paint
     • Powder coating
     • Galvanising
     • Plastic dip coating
     • Plating
   • Advantages
     • Improve appearance, Stops rusting, More durable

5. Joining methods

   • Wood Joints
     • Mortise and tenon
     • Butt Joint
     • Dowel Joint
     • Dovetail Joint
     • Rebate Joint
   • Joining Metal
     • Welding
     • Brazing
     • Soldering

6. Tools & equipment

   • Saws
   • Drill bits
   • Fittings
   • Marking out

7. CAD/CAM

   • Computer Aided Design
     • Virtual Modelling
       • Designs can be viewed from all angles
       • Can send files electronically (email)
       • Designs can be changed easily
       • Test the product before it is made
   • Computer Aided Manufacture

8. Ethics

   • Built-in Obsolescence
     • Throw-away culture
     • New improved models come onto the market
     • Products designed to stop working
     • Cheaper to replace a product than to repair
   • Offshore Manufacturing
     • Cheaper labour and energy costs