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SECTION 6: Technical understanding (PD)
6.1 what consideration need to be made about the structural integrity of a design solution?
A good product:
makes good use of material
is resilient
has structural integrity
has functionality
is aesthetically good
structural integrity
the ability to withstand forces and applied pressure
the question is, have the full range of forces been considered when designing?
apply force here and the table is fine
apply force here and the table leg may break
sitting like this is fine
sitting like this will snap the leg
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structural integrity isn't always physical (like the examples above), it can also be electrical or material.
For example:
if you put a battery in a device the wrong way round it may cause damage
a material mat not be able to withstand the environment it has been put in - consider the weather/ temperature/ uv etc.
6.2 how can products be designed to function effectively within their surroundings
Enhancing structural integrity
Material reinforcement
Material Stiffening
Material protection
Triangulation
surface finishes - preventing decay and corrosion
finishing timber
paint
varnish
wax
polish
sealant
preserving timber
creosote
immersion treatments
pressure impregnation
tanalising
preserving timber
think about their applications - when might they be used?
powder coating timber is a very specialist process and requires state-of-the-art technology and a high level of expertise to carry out well
metal
surface finishes on some metals in not necessary but when it is they can painted or lacquered or enamelled (baking the paint on after application). Finishes can be water, solvent or oil based.
for metals that have an attractive surface finish, they can be enhanced by being polished or buffed. polishing removes scratches and buffing shines the surface. both can be done in stages to reduce the amount of abrasion.
powder coating
dip coating
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electro plating
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think about their applications - what can they be used for?
6.3 what opportunities are there through using smart and modern technologies within products?
What is a smart material?
In short, it is a material that has an element of intelligence and can react to its environment or a stimulus.
Colour changing
thermochromic - changes due to heat input
photochromic - changes due to light input
Electrochromic - changes due to voltage input
electroluminescent (EL) panels - used to give out a soft glow of light
shape changing
Shape shifting - where an electric current/ heat/ magnetic input causes a material to change shape.
Shape memory alloy - An alloy that returns back to its original shape when stimulus is removed.
Shape memory polymer - the same as the above but can have increased elasticity, are lower cost, lower density can be moulded and have high chemical resistance.
Motion control through the use of magneto-rheological fluid (MR fluid) (AKA magnet liquid)
think about their applications - what can they be used for?
why is it that you can poke your finger through wet sand but if you punch it... it will hurt?
also see section 6 for design engineering here (more about function (mechanisms/ electronics etc))
Time to test your knowledge. Click on the link below and enter the room ncbdtsix
Access exemplar exam questions for this section here
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test your section 6 key terms understanding here
Design Technology @ NCB
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