Product Design & Technology UNIT 3

Materials - Characteristics and Properties

Materials are selected for use based on their properties (their performance and analysing both chemically and physically under certain conditions and characteristics (visible features). Properties and characteristics include: strength, durability, thermal, resistance, hardness, density, rigidity, flexibility, corrosiveness and compatibility with other fabrics.

Economics- Time and Cost

Materials, labour and use of plants (equipment and machinery), but must give value to the end users. Time management and material availability are critical issues to consider.

Working Drawings

Mostly 2D drawings that communicate the product specifications and components

Economic Sustainability

Needs to make a profit to stay in business but not at the expense of workers' pay or unfair business deals

Continuous Production

Occurs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is usually run by computer aided manufacturing systems. Has no interruptions and needs to be monitored so that problems are quickly detected

Computer Aided Manufacturing

Refers to the use of digital information (from CAD designs) to directly drive machines and manufacturing systems. It allows for designers to become concrete speedily and increase the accuracy by removing opportunities for human error.

Visual, Tactile and Aesthetic

Relates to the products form, appearance and feel. Design elements include point, line, shape, form, texture, tone, colour, transparency and opacity. Natural forms, patterns and structures along with geometry and mathematics. Design principles of balance, contrast, repetition, movement/rhythm, proportion, asymmetry/symmetry, negative/positive space.

Visualisation Drawings

Representations of potential ideas for the whole, or components of the design

Primary Research

Testing, measuring, collecting samples, trials, photograph, surveys, discussions, interviews, examining similar products, direct observation

Computer Numerical Control

The automation of machine tools and the use of CAD/CAM programs in a series of highly complex steps to create parts and components. Reduces the number of machining steps that require human action along with making improvement in consistency and quality.

Design Brief

The design brief is structurally composed of an outline of context, constraints and considerations and a statement of quality. The purpose of the design brief is to clarify the design problem and the end-user's needs in a written statement (outline of context) and establish the end-user/s constraints and considerations.

Innovation

The process of translating an idea or invention into a product or service that creates value for which customers pay. To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need. Innovation involves deliberate application of information, imagination and initiative in deliberate greater or different values from resources, and includes all processes by which new ideas are generated and converted into useful products

Manufacturing

The production of products for use or sale using labour and machines, tools, chemical and biological processing or formulation.

Purpose, Function or Context

The reason or need for a product, in the context and environment of its use. Includes its operation, performance, reliability and quality. The primary function and secondary functions that support its use.

Relationships between the design brief, evaluation criteria, research and product design development activities

There is a clear correlation between the design brief, evaluation criteria, research and product design and development activities. These steps are all part of the first stage of the product design process the 'Investigating and defining' stage. The design brief provides the information for the evaluation criteria and allows for the identification of areas for research and design and development activities.

Style Obsolescence

This is when changing trends and fashions contribute to a product losing its appeal. Older styles are seen as being less attractive and people feel the need to upgrade to a product that is more visually on trend

Functional Obsolscence

When a manufacturer chooses lower quality material that will be less durable and cause the product to break down and be non-functional. Some products are designed to be too difficult to repair and maintain. Shortens the life of a product.

Planned Obsolescence

When a manufacturer deliberately designs a product to be no longer useful after a short amount of time. Very unsustainable approach, which damages our environment. Three types of planned obsolescence: functional, technical and style.

Technical Obsolescence

When a product becomes less functional because new design features have been developed. The product may still function to some degree but not as well as a newer smarter version of the product, so the old one is discarded.

One-off Production

When a unique article or a large product is made to a specific design required. Items are essentially handcrafted, but certain processes may be outsourced

Role of designer

-To discuss with end-user and develop a design brief -Research aspects related to the selected product -Use a range of creative and lateral thinking techniques to present a range of options to the end-user for discussion and feedback, ensuring that they address the specifications of the brief

Four Part Criteria for Evaluation

1. Evaluation Criterion 2. Justification/relevance to design brief 3. Ways to acheive this 4. How will the finished product could be tested or checked

Investigating and Defining

1. Identification of end-user/s need, problem or opportunity - to create a starting point for the whole process, to decide what is needed and what can be created 2. Design brief - to define the design situation and give details of its requirements, including relevant parameters of the product design factors 3. Evaluation criteria - to emphasise the important points in the design brief, to identify the expected standard of the finished product, to keep the designer on track, to assist in selecting the preferred option and to evaluate the finished product 4. Research - to find out as much information as possible that will contribute to creating a great solution, and to collect inspiration

Product Development Process

1. Identifying a need 2. Product design, planning and prototype 3. Product and distribution 4. Retail and consumer use 5. Product evaluation and modifications Research

Stages of the product design process

1. Investigating and Defining 2. Design and Development 3. Planning and Production 4. Evaluation

Elements of Market Research

1. People: who will buy this product? 2. Product: what is being sold? 3. Price: how much will it cost? 4. Place: where can it be bought? 5. Promotion: how will people know about it?

Scheduled Production Plan

1. Production steps 2. Timeline 3. Risk assessment 4. Materials and costing list 5. Quality measures

Evaluation

10. Product evaluation - to check whether the evaluation criteria was fulfilled; to look over the strengths and weaknesses of the finished work, check its quality, to reinforce knowledge and make suggestions for improvement

Design and Development

5. Visualizations - to get many initial ideas down quickly in 2D and 3D forms 6. Design options (presentation drawings) - to present detailed, realistic possibilities from which one will be selected for the end-user (preferred option) 7. Working drawings - to give product specifications, i.e. of sizes, parts, placement, materials and to indicate methods of construction

Planning and Production

8. Scheduled production plan - to list production steps in a suitable sequence; organise materials, tools, machines and equipment; manage time; prepare for safety issues; to prepare for quality work and budget accordingly 9. Production - to construct the product safely and accurately, to record progress for future reference and to communicate decisions

Kelvar

A bulletproof fabric created by DuPont which is strong and versatile as well as being lightweight. Helps improve cost effectiveness and design flexibility to manufacturers helping them build leaner, more robust consumer and industrial products.

Rapid 3D Prototyping

A design that is sent from a CAD program to a computer to be made up into a prototype quickly and effectively. It can be printed overnight, examined, trialled and tested. Adjustments can be made almost immediatley.

Lean Manufacturing

A method aimed to reduce waste or little to no waste in time, labour and materials and processes with the purpose of improving value for the consumer. It is about creating a smooth flow and having processes run very efficiently to assist in minimising waste.

Just In Time (JIT)

A philosophy implemented by lean manufacturing and only produces goods to the specifications, in the quantities and at the time the customer wants them.

Refibra TM

A recycled cotton fabric that includes wood pulp and cut offs from pre-consumers cotton waste garments.

Laser Technology

A safe, fast, efficient and precise cutting method for materials. Can cut through multiple layers and once and used in all volumes of production. Can be used to take measurements of long distances, levels and speed.

Research and Development

A scientific and technical investigation, usually about the product involving innovation or technical risk to improve products, processes, materials or devices and services. A financial investment into activities for improvement.

Robotics

Allow for previously unsafe procedures to be included into construction of products and have different programs that can be easily uploaded making them flexible and responsive to customer demand.

Critical thinking techniques

Bringing the most suitable idea together Such as: Questioning, critiquing, researching, analysing products, evaluation criteria

Computer Aided Design

CAD designs can be developed from scanned sketches or drawings, or can be created from scratch. Allows for 3D visualisation which reduces costs and development times. Gives flexibility to manipulate designs.

CSIRO

Carry out scientific research in order to boost Australian industries to benefit the Australian community.

Creative thinking techniques

Considering a wide variety of ways in which a problem can be solved. Such as: Brianstorming, mind-mapping, thinking laterally, escape thinking, experimenting with materials

Environmental Sustainability

Considers how the air, soil, water, animals and plant life are impacted. Preservation of planets resources

Technologies - Tools, Processes and Manufacturing Methods

Conversion techniques (changing raw materials into usable forms) and production processes are reliant on and affected by available tools, equipment, machines and expertise. Suitable and accurate methods are selected to perform marketing/meeting out, cutting/shaping/forming, joining/assembling/constructive, decorating/embellishing/ finishing.

Relationship between Designer and End-user

Designers need to ask questions, listen, observe and take notes. They will be empathetic, trying to put themselves in the end-user's shoes so they fully understand the problem. The designer works closely with the end-user or target market and having frequent meetings and discussions are important for the development of a product that suits the requirement need

Presentation Drawings

Detailed 3D drawings that show the whole product and are used to convey a fully worked out design solution

User-Centered Design

End-user/s problems or needs identified to improve wellbeing and/or quality of life. Considerations include culture and religion, age, economic status, emotional and sensory appeal, universal design, social and physical needs, fashion and trends, safety, accessibility, comfort, ergonomics and anthropometric data.

Graphic Organisers

Fishbone diagrams, spider maps, lotus diagrams, Venn diagrams, concept maps, star diagrams, pie charts, PMI charts

Market Research

Gathering and analysing of information about markets and customers. Helps designers and manufacturers make sure their product will sell. Examines all aspects of a business environement, such as competitors and trends. It looks closely at the target group, who they are, and their behaviour, likes and dislikes and their habits.

Social Sustainability

How people are affected- their health, safety, living/working conditions and standards, cultural practices, laws and relationships

Flexible and Responsive Manufacturing

If following lean principles, a manufacturer can be flexible (move easily) and responsive (adapt quickly) to changing circumstances. It helps manufacturers to stay in business by providing what is needed at a reasonable price. · Being locally situated can mean faster turnaround than offshore

Legal Responsibilities

Intellectual property particularly patents and design registration. Australian and International (ISO) Standards, regulations and legislation (OH&S). Products must be produced safely and be safe for end-users

Sustainability

Involves the connection and interaction between the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic and environmental. Underpinning factors include: life cycle analysis/assessment, emotional attachment, carbon footprints, fair trade, embodied energy and water use, distribution and use of renewable energy.

Obsolescence

Is when something (a product) becomes obsolete. This can be for reasons such as it is no longer useful, it is out of date, cannot be used with current technology, or is replaced with another product that is more efficient.

Low Volume Production

It is when a smaller number of products are made for a specific situation. Low volume production allows designers and manufacturers to respond quickly to changes in market demand and adapt the designs accordingly

Cradle to Cradle (C2C)

-Places an emphasis on products being absorbed back into other products or systems. -Materials are continually used in a cyclic process without creating waste

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

-An analysis of all stages of a product's life and measuring the environmental impacts. Needs to be accurate and scientific, therefore it has high costs. -What is measured/analysed is everything from impact such as raw materials to output and disposal of the product

Role of the End-User/s

-Clearly explain their needs and requirements -Discuss designs options presented to them -Provide feedback at different stages of the design process and on the finished product

R&D in Manufacturing

-A healthy and viable manufacturing sector that also includes exports contributes to the welfare of society and quality of life -In order to remain competitive in a global market it is important that industries invest in research and development -Creates employment and opportunities for others -Strong employment equates with increased consumer spending, which hence contributes to even more employment.

Design for Disassembly (DfD

-Aims for ease of fixing, reusing or recycling to help with eliminating waste, products designed to be easily taken apart. -Minimal variety of materials and minimal variety of fasteners and components -Non-permanent joining methods such as snap fit, interlocking joins or use of laces and avoidance of using glues

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

-Aims to reduce waste by putting responsibility firstly onto producers and secondly onto consumers. An approach to managing the impacts of different products and materials. Producing, selling, using and disposing have a shared responsibility. Materials are managed to reduce impact throughout their lifecycle

Mass/High Volume Production

Production of thousands and sometimes millions of items. The process is standardised and inflexible. Mass production needs to be planned carefully as it is time consuming and expensive to set up. Involves robots and skilled workers (& unskilled)

Secondary Research

Published information- books, magazines, journals, internet, analysing statistical information on products or end-user.