9th Grade - Intro to Engineering PLTW Test

parametric modeling

3D modeling where entities are constrained to, dependent on, or associated with other entities

3D model

a computer representation used to convey detailed information about a physical object

functional analysis

a description of what a product does, its inputs, and its outputs

generative design

a design process where a software runs algorithms to determine all the possible designs that meet the parameters and constraints

resistor

a device used to control the passage of an electric current in a circuit

focal point

a feature in a design that attracts the eye

normal distribution

a function that represents the distribution of variables as a symmetrical bell-shaped curve

histogram

a graph of vertical bars representing the frequency distribution of a set of data

schematic

a graphical model of a circuit

box-and-whisker plot

a graphical model of data for a single variable

concept sketch

a graphical representation of an idea that can quickly communicate design intent and details

system

a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal

assembly

a group of parts that are connected and form one unit

object line

a heavy solid line used to represent the outline of an object

blind hole

a hole that does not pass completely through an object

through hole

a hole that passes completely through an object and maintains the same diameter the entire time

construction line

a lightly-drawn line used to guide drawing other lines and shapes

mock-up

a model or replica used for instructional or experimental purpose

automaton

a moving mechanical device that performs a repetitive function

invention

a new product, system, or process that has never existed before

circuit

a path for an electrical current to flow through conductors from an electrical energy source to at least one load that consumes energy

human-centered design

a problem-solving process that focuses on designing a product from the perspective of the people it will affect and that usually follows the steps of inspiration then ideation then implementation

cam

a rotating or sliding part in a mechanism used especially to transform rotational motion to linear motion or vice versa

additive modeling

a solid modeling technique where volume is added and built on to existing volume

subtractive modeling

a solid modeling technique where volume is removed from existing volume

orthographic view

a straight-on, "front" view that only has length and width

modularity

a strategy for managing complex systems by dividing system components into functional clusters to form separate sub-systems or modules

adhesive

a substance used for sticking objects or materials together

title block

a template that gives general information about a drawing

aesthetic

a term used to describe people's appreciation of beautiful things

decision matrix

a tool used to compare design solutions against one another using specific criteria

outlier

a value that is 1.5 interquartile ranges lower than the first quartile or higher than the third quartile

spring constant

a value that represents how stiff a spring is

isometric view

a view of a three-dimensional object from an 120 degree angle that shows all three dimensions equally

sectional view

a view that shows an object as if part of it were cut away to expose a cross-section

conceptual model

a visual representation of an idea

design brief

a written plan that identifies a problem and the criteria and constraints for the solution

wabi-sabi

an aesthetic style that embodies naturalness, simplicity, and subtle imperfection

innovation

an improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method

stakeholder

an individual or group who may affect or be affected by a decision, activity, or outcome of a project

tapering

becoming gradually narrower at one end

standards

clear descriptions of established technical criteria, methods, processes, and practices

satisficing

deciding that the best design decision is not the optimal design in a situation

Hierarchy of Needs

five user-centered goals that a design must satisfy in order to achieve optimal success: functionality, reliability, usability, proficiency, and creativity

precision

how close a group of measurements are to each other (highest value - lowest value)

accuracy

how close a measurement is to the target (average value - target value)

constraints

limitations or restrictions on a design process such as time, funding, space, and materials

sustainability

meeting the needs of the current generation without negatively affecting future generations

rotation

movement around an axis

translation

movement parallel to an axis

raw materials

natural resources used to make finished products

dowel pins

pieces used to permanently assemble parts that require precise alignment

value

relative lightness or darkness of a color

input

something put into a system

output

something that results from a system

criteria

specific, concise design requirements that describe what the design solution must do to meet the stakeholders' needs

product life cycle

stages that a product goes through in its life: development, introduction to the market, growth of market share, maturity, and decline

evaluate solution

step five of the design process

construct and test

step four of the design process

define problem

step one of the design process

present solution

step six of the design process

develop solution

step three of the design process

generate concepts

step two of the design process

factor of safety

the ability of a design to still perform successfully even if a variable was underestimated during its calculations

tolerance

the acceptable amount of dimensional variation that will still allow an object to function properly

traction

the adhesive friction of a body on a surface on which it moves

mean

the average value of a dataset

unity

the consistent use of design elements

strain

the deformation or displacement of a material that results from applied stress

voltage

the difference in electrical potential energy between two places in a circuit

materials

the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made

stress

the force applied to a material divided by the material's cross-sectional area

spring force

the force exerted by a spring, which always goes in the opposite direction as the applied force

friction

the force that resists motion between two surfaces

range

the highest value in a dataset minus the lowest value

80/20 Rule/Pareto Principle

the idea that approximately 80% of the effects of a large system are caused by only 20% of the variables in that system

uncertainty principle

the idea that measuring certain sensitive variables in a system can alter them and impact or interfere with the accuracy of the measurement

Occam's Razor/Law of Economy

the idea that the simplest solution is often the best

variability

the measure of consistency in a set of data

first quartile

the median of the lower half of the dataset, excluding the median

third quartile

the median of the upper half of the dataset, excluding the median

spatial visualization

the mental representation and manipulation of two- and three-dimensional objects

median

the middle value of a dataset

follower

the part whose movement results from the rotation of a cam

interface

the place at which parts meet and interact

mimicry

the process of copying properties of a familiar object, organism, or environment

prototyping

the process of creating a simple, sometimes incomplete model of a design

optimization

the process of making the best or most effective use of resources to get the best possible solution

iteration

the process of repeating earlier steps of the design process to get a satisfactory result

reverse engineering

the process of taking something apart and analyzing its workings in detail

efficiency

the ratio of desired output energy compared to input energy

proportion

the relationship between elements in a design with respective to size

complexity factor

the square root of the sum of the number of parts multiplied by the sum of the number of interfaces

kinematics

the study of motion of a system without consideration of forces acting within the system

Scaling Fallacy

the tendency to assume that a design that works on one scale will work at smaller and larger scales

iconic representation

the use of images to make concepts, actions, and objects easy to find, recognize, learn, and remember

economy

the use of the bare minimum elements

degree of freedom

the variable by which an object can move

interquartile range

third quartile minus first quartile

systems thinking

understanding a system by examining the web of relationships among the interacting parts or elements