Unit 5: Materials & Manufacturing Processes
This unit equips students with a comprehensive understanding of materials such as plastics, wood, metals, and composites, along with insights into key manufacturing methods including laser cutting and 3D printing. Environmental impacts and ethical sourcing considerations are explored, emphasizing the importance of responsible material selection. By applying Design for Manufacture (DfM) principles, students learn to create products that are easier and more cost-effective to produce.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Materials and how they're manufactured fundamentally shape product design.
- Different materials possess unique physical, mechanical, and aesthetic properties.
- Sustainability and ethical sourcing must be considered in material selection.
Key Concepts
- -- Thermoplastics
- Types of plastics that can be melted and reshaped; they are recyclable.
- -- Thermosets
- Plastics that harden permanently and cannot be remelted.
- -- DfM (Design for Manufacture)
- Principles aimed at simplifying product design to improve manufacturing efficiency.
- -- Environmental impact
- The effect that the production and disposal of materials have on the environment.
- -- Ethical sourcing
- Acquiring materials in a responsible way that considers environmental and social impact.
Additional Learning Materials
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.