Selection Of Materials Or Components
Overview
Two designers are asked to specify the handle for a garden fork. One writes ash. The other writes ash, kiln dried, certified from a managed source, bought as standard 32 millimetre turned stock from a supplier who can deliver within a week, at a price that leaves the fork under the retail figure the buyer set. Only one of them has actually made a selection. The other has made a preference.
This lesson is about the difference. The specification names eight factors that a material or component must be judged against: functionality, aesthetics, environmental factors, availability, cost, social factors, cultural factors and ethical factors. You will learn what each one means in the specification's own terms, how they conflict with one another, and how to reach a defensible decision when they do. You will also cost a bulk buying decision, because the specification names the advantages of bulk buying explicitly and the specimen paper asked about it. This is specialist technical principles content, examined in Section B of Paper 1, and it is delivered through at least one main material category, so the material area you built your prototype in is the one to answer on.
Objectives
- Functionality: application of use, ease of working. Aesthetics: surface finish, texture and colour. Environmental factors: recyclable or reused materials. Availability: ease of sourcing and purchase. Cost: advantages of bulk buying. Social factors: having social responsibility. Cultural factors: sensitive to cultural influences. Ethical factors: obtained from ethical sources.
Mind map
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Selection Of Materials Or Components. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which factor does the specification define as ease of sourcing and purchase? A. Availability B. Cost C. Ethical factors D. Functionality Answer: A
- A designer specifies timber carrying a Forest Stewardship Council mark. Which factor is being addressed? A. Aesthetics B. Cultural factors C. Ethical factors D. Functionality Answer: C
- Which one of the following is an advantage of bulk buying? A. Less money is tied up in stock B. A lower cost per unit through economies of scale C. Less storage space is required D. There is no risk of unused stock Answer: B
- Sheets cost 14.00 each in quantities under 50 and 12.60 each in quantities of 50 or more. A workshop buys 60 sheets. How much does it save compared with the lower band price? A. 8.40 B. 60.00 C. 84.00 D. 140.00 Answer: C
- Which factor does the specification break down into surface finish, texture and colour? A. Aesthetics B. Environmental factors C. Functionality D. Social factors Answer: A
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