A-Level Design And Technology: Product Design
Paper 1 Technical Principles|Questions And
Answers|Brand New Edition!!!
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Identify the specific material classification of gold (1 mark)
non-ferrous metal
Describe two physical properties of non-ferrous metal (2 marks)
- Good resistance to corrosion
- High density
Give three reasons why a gel coat is used when laminating a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) product (3
marks)
- Can provide pigment to the external surface of GRP
- Surface hardener allows it to withstand abrasion and not sustain scratches
- Provides a impermeable coating which protects GRP from water damage
Analyse and evaluate the impact that 'open design' has had on traditional product development (9
marks)
Advantage
- Allow individual to design, develop and share their own work to anybody who wishes to make use of it
- Removes the demand and reliance on larger manufacturer
- Supports collaborative development, improvements are constantly made and released in a quick
timescale
- Intricately developed from a huge volume of users with various experiences
- Ethos is to contribute for the greater good and not financially driven
- Shared work for not profit
Disadvantage:
- Reduce opportunities for smaller business or individual to profit from their own work
- Open design has created a mindset of users feeling the right to use any works they find online, ignoring
copyright or patent laws in their country
- Patents are no longer needed or effective
- Not subjected to any international standard for testing or quality control. designers does not need to
prove confidence in their design
Explain why a manufacturer may chose to use a vertical in-house production system (6 marks)
,- Removes the reliance of a third party company manufacturers to supply components and parts
- Reassure by reducing the chances of the product being susceptible to a delay in manufacture by the
third party
- Improve security of intellectual property rights by removing the amount of companies involved in the
product's manufacturing
- Offers manufacturer greater control over the pricing of products, removes risk of sudden price increase
- Greater control over quality and assurance procedures of components and parts
- Design developments or improvements can be quickly introduced without the need to involve a third
part
Explain how a manufacturer of children's toy would ensure that their product is safe for the consumer
(6 marks)
- Shape and form of the product is safe with no sharp corners or features that can cause entrapment
- A range of testing would take place on all aspects of the toy
- Sharp point detection and cutting edge test to ensure no harm comes to the child
- Ensure small parts/ components like wheels would not pose a choking hazard
- Appropriate material, fixings, fittings and finishes is selected based on the desired mechanical and
physical properties
- Designs that meets international standards like BSI
Name a specific application for the following composites (3 marks) :
- Reinforced Concrete
- Fibre Cement
- Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)
- Building
- Suspended floor applications
- Fishing rods
Describe the stages requires to produce a vacuum formed polymer product (6 marks)/
1. A mould with the desired product profile is manufactured
2. Thermoplastic polymer sheet is clamped into the machine above the mould creating an airtight seal
3. The polymer is heated using a radiant heater
4. The polymer sheet is heated, when softened, the heat is removed
5. Once cooled the mould is removed by lowering the platen
6. Waste material is trimmed from the mould and then can be recycled
Definition of 'Alloy' and why they are created (2 marks)
A metal that is made up of two or more metal components in order to enhance properties
Give two specific examples of alloys besides stainless steel (2 marks)
- Bronze
- Brass
Describe 'Planed Square Edge' (PSE) (2 marks)
, - After conversion and seasoning
- Natural timber is planed so one edge is square to another
Describe 'Mouldings' (2 marks)
- A strip of natural or manufactured wood machined
- to include decorative or shaped features for specific function e.g. picture frame
4. What are the stages required in the preparation and painting of a garden shed (6 marks)
1. Carefully read instruction on paint/ product container to ensure safe and correction use, application
and preparation
2. Wear appropriate PPE for specific tasks undertaken
3. Repair any damages to the timber prior to avoid further degradation
4. Apply paint stripper and sand down the timber to provide a smooth surface
5. Remove all the dust from the timber
6. Apply paint with a roller or paint brush in the direction of the grain
Define 'Biodegradable Polymer'
- Polymers that are engineered to break down, faster compared to non bio polymers, over time through
natural means (e.g. UV rays, water, air)
- Biodegradable polymers helps with reducing oil based polymer waste
- Does not contribute to landfills through single use products
- Reduces carbon footprint of a product
Describe the process of MIG welding the two seperate parts of a bracket (9 marks)
1. Parts to be welded should be cleaned with white spirit
2. By sanding/ grinding down to prepare the surface
3. Use wires to hold parts in position during welding
4. Use correct PPE for any tasks undertaken e.g. goggles, masks
5. Clean up weld with another grinder/ sander
Compare and evaluate the suitability of the two different types of timber for construction of a timber
framed house:
- Manufactured from whole timbers lengths
- Fabricated from laminated pieces
Whole timbers lengths:
- Cut from single section of the tree, therefor tree needs to be long enough for the desired length, this
could lead to more material waste
- Length is limited to the length of the tree
- Natural faults cannot be avoided like knots and resin pockets
- Must be seasoned correctly to minimise distortion and movement when in use
- Naturally prone to distortion over time due to environmental condition
- End grains are visible which would aesthetically appeal to some traditional buildings
Laminated pieces:
Paper 1 Technical Principles|Questions And
Answers|Brand New Edition!!!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Identify the specific material classification of gold (1 mark)
non-ferrous metal
Describe two physical properties of non-ferrous metal (2 marks)
- Good resistance to corrosion
- High density
Give three reasons why a gel coat is used when laminating a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) product (3
marks)
- Can provide pigment to the external surface of GRP
- Surface hardener allows it to withstand abrasion and not sustain scratches
- Provides a impermeable coating which protects GRP from water damage
Analyse and evaluate the impact that 'open design' has had on traditional product development (9
marks)
Advantage
- Allow individual to design, develop and share their own work to anybody who wishes to make use of it
- Removes the demand and reliance on larger manufacturer
- Supports collaborative development, improvements are constantly made and released in a quick
timescale
- Intricately developed from a huge volume of users with various experiences
- Ethos is to contribute for the greater good and not financially driven
- Shared work for not profit
Disadvantage:
- Reduce opportunities for smaller business or individual to profit from their own work
- Open design has created a mindset of users feeling the right to use any works they find online, ignoring
copyright or patent laws in their country
- Patents are no longer needed or effective
- Not subjected to any international standard for testing or quality control. designers does not need to
prove confidence in their design
Explain why a manufacturer may chose to use a vertical in-house production system (6 marks)
,- Removes the reliance of a third party company manufacturers to supply components and parts
- Reassure by reducing the chances of the product being susceptible to a delay in manufacture by the
third party
- Improve security of intellectual property rights by removing the amount of companies involved in the
product's manufacturing
- Offers manufacturer greater control over the pricing of products, removes risk of sudden price increase
- Greater control over quality and assurance procedures of components and parts
- Design developments or improvements can be quickly introduced without the need to involve a third
part
Explain how a manufacturer of children's toy would ensure that their product is safe for the consumer
(6 marks)
- Shape and form of the product is safe with no sharp corners or features that can cause entrapment
- A range of testing would take place on all aspects of the toy
- Sharp point detection and cutting edge test to ensure no harm comes to the child
- Ensure small parts/ components like wheels would not pose a choking hazard
- Appropriate material, fixings, fittings and finishes is selected based on the desired mechanical and
physical properties
- Designs that meets international standards like BSI
Name a specific application for the following composites (3 marks) :
- Reinforced Concrete
- Fibre Cement
- Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)
- Building
- Suspended floor applications
- Fishing rods
Describe the stages requires to produce a vacuum formed polymer product (6 marks)/
1. A mould with the desired product profile is manufactured
2. Thermoplastic polymer sheet is clamped into the machine above the mould creating an airtight seal
3. The polymer is heated using a radiant heater
4. The polymer sheet is heated, when softened, the heat is removed
5. Once cooled the mould is removed by lowering the platen
6. Waste material is trimmed from the mould and then can be recycled
Definition of 'Alloy' and why they are created (2 marks)
A metal that is made up of two or more metal components in order to enhance properties
Give two specific examples of alloys besides stainless steel (2 marks)
- Bronze
- Brass
Describe 'Planed Square Edge' (PSE) (2 marks)
, - After conversion and seasoning
- Natural timber is planed so one edge is square to another
Describe 'Mouldings' (2 marks)
- A strip of natural or manufactured wood machined
- to include decorative or shaped features for specific function e.g. picture frame
4. What are the stages required in the preparation and painting of a garden shed (6 marks)
1. Carefully read instruction on paint/ product container to ensure safe and correction use, application
and preparation
2. Wear appropriate PPE for specific tasks undertaken
3. Repair any damages to the timber prior to avoid further degradation
4. Apply paint stripper and sand down the timber to provide a smooth surface
5. Remove all the dust from the timber
6. Apply paint with a roller or paint brush in the direction of the grain
Define 'Biodegradable Polymer'
- Polymers that are engineered to break down, faster compared to non bio polymers, over time through
natural means (e.g. UV rays, water, air)
- Biodegradable polymers helps with reducing oil based polymer waste
- Does not contribute to landfills through single use products
- Reduces carbon footprint of a product
Describe the process of MIG welding the two seperate parts of a bracket (9 marks)
1. Parts to be welded should be cleaned with white spirit
2. By sanding/ grinding down to prepare the surface
3. Use wires to hold parts in position during welding
4. Use correct PPE for any tasks undertaken e.g. goggles, masks
5. Clean up weld with another grinder/ sander
Compare and evaluate the suitability of the two different types of timber for construction of a timber
framed house:
- Manufactured from whole timbers lengths
- Fabricated from laminated pieces
Whole timbers lengths:
- Cut from single section of the tree, therefor tree needs to be long enough for the desired length, this
could lead to more material waste
- Length is limited to the length of the tree
- Natural faults cannot be avoided like knots and resin pockets
- Must be seasoned correctly to minimise distortion and movement when in use
- Naturally prone to distortion over time due to environmental condition
- End grains are visible which would aesthetically appeal to some traditional buildings
Laminated pieces:
