GCSE Design and Technology: Why is it important to know the different available forms of specific materials and/or systems components?

All questions and answers

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1. Why must a designer know the stock forms and standard sizes of materials?

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   So costs and quantities can be calculated accurately — materials are bought in standard forms, so designing to fit them reduces waste and cost.

2. What is meant by the stock form of a material?

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   The standard shape and size in which a material is commonly supplied, e.g. sheets, rods or reels.

3. What is a standard component in Design and Technology?

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   A ready-made, mass-produced part (e.g. a screw, hinge or resistor) that is bought in rather than made by the designer.

4. In which stock form are polymers usually supplied for moulding?

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   Pellets (granules), which are melted in processes such as injection moulding.

5. Name two standard components commonly used with paper and boards.

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   Any two of: clips, fasteners, bindings.

6. Name two standard components commonly used with timber.

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   Any two of: hinges, brackets, screws.

7. Name two standard components commonly used with metals.

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   Any two of: bolts, rivets, hinges.

8. Give an example of a standard component used with polymers.

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   Caps, fasteners or bolts.

9. Zips, buttons and poppers are standard components used with ?.

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   fibres and fabrics

10. Resistors, capacitors, diodes and microcontrollers belong to which category of component?

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    System components — the electronic parts used to build control systems.

11. Gears and cams, pulleys and belts, and levers and linkages belong to which category of component?

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    Mechanical components.