3.2 More than Parts

parametric modeling

3D modeling where geometry is created with association to other geometry.

patent

A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.

additive manufacturing

A manufacturing method used for rapid prototyping where three-dimensional objects are built by adding layer upon layer of material.

avatar

A personalized graphical illustration that represents a computer user, or a character or alter ego that represents that user. An avatar can be represented either in three-dimensional form (for example, in games or virtual worlds) or in two-dimensional form as an icon in internet forums and virtual worlds.

ergonomics

A systems approach for analyzing the physical interaction of the human worker with his/her work environment to maximize productivity, quality, usability, safety, health, and comfort.

graphic organizer

A visual display that demonstrates relationships between facts, concepts, or ideas. A graphic organizer guides the learner's thinking as they fill in and build upon a visual map or diagram.

conceptual model

A visual representation of an idea. A conceptual model can be a sketch, concept map, schematic, flow chart, or any other visual representation.

conceptual models

A visual representation of an idea. A conceptual model can be a sketch, concept map, schematic, flow chart, or any other visual representation.

systems model

An abstract representation of a system that identifies interacting elements and components of the system and the relationships among those components and elements.

human centered design

An approach to systems design and development that aims to make interactive systems more usable by focusing on the users of the system—their needs and requirements—and applying human factors/ergonomics and usability knowledge and techniques.

stakeholder

An individual, group, or organization who may affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision, activity, or outcome of a project.

algorithms

An ordered set of instructions that are used to carry out a task.

strain

Change in the length of an object in some direction per unit.

biomimicry

Copying or imitating the special characteristics of living organisms (animals, plants, etc.) in materials, processes, or products. From bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate.

safety factor

Factor of safety (safety factor) is the ability of a system's structural capacity to be viable beyond its expected or actual loads, expressed as the ratio of actual strength to required strength.

optimization

Making the best or most effective use of resources to get the best possible solution.

anthropometric

Of or relating to the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body.

popliteal

Relating to or situated in the hollow at the back of the knee.

permutations

The act of arranging the members of a set into a sequence or order.

stress

The force acting across a unit area in a solid material resisting the separation, compacting, or sliding that tends to be induced by external forces.

persona

The publicly perceived character that a person seems to have, which is often different from the real or private character of the person.

systems thinking

`Understanding a system by examining the connections between the parts that compose the entirety of the system.

generative design

program that generates a certain number of outputs meeting certain constraints. A designer defines the feasible region by manipulating minimal and maximal values of an interval in which a variable of the program meets the set of constraints in order to reduce the number of outputs from which to choose.

iteration

the process of repeating a set of operations until a specific result is achieved