A designer is asked to reduce the mass of a moulded component without reducing its stiffness. Explain three design changes that would achieve this. [3]

Assessment: Design & Technology: Product Design 9252 | Paper 1 Mock 01 | Technical, designing and making principles Subject: Design & Technology: Product Design - 9252

Question 1 Report

A designer is asked to reduce the mass of a moulded component without reducing its stiffness. Explain three design changes that would achieve this. [3]

Answer Details

Stiffness depends not only on how much material is used, but also on the shape of the section. Three suitable changes are:

  • Add ribs on the underside. The ribs increase stiffness through section shape, allowing the main wall to be thinner [1].
  • Use a hollow or box section. This puts material farther from the neutral axis, so the component resists bending efficiently [1].
  • Remove material from regions carrying little load, leaving a web or lattice structure [1].
  • Add curvature or a swage to a flat panel, making it resist bending without adding material [1].

Any three gain full marks. Do not simply state “make it thinner”, because that would normally reduce stiffness [3].

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