VCE VET Engineering Studies flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Hierarchy of control

Ranking of risk controls from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment.

Lock-out tag-out

Isolation procedure where energy sources are shut down, locked and tagged, and the machine is tested to confirm it is de-energised before work.

Near miss

An unplanned event that did not cause injury or damage but had the potential to do so; it is recorded so the hazard can be controlled.

Bunding

A raised, sealed containment structure around chemical or oil storage that holds spills and prevents them reaching drains or soil.

Vernier least count

The smallest measurement a vernier caliper can read, calculated as main scale division minus vernier scale division, commonly 0.02 millimetres.

Micrometer reading

Barrel reading plus thimble reading multiplied by the least count, usually 0.01 millimetres, giving measurement to two decimal places.

Drill speed rule

Spindle speed decreases as drill diameter increases; small drills run fast, large drills run slow to control heat and breakage.

Climb milling

Milling where cutter rotation matches feed direction, giving better surface finish but requiring a machine with backlash elimination.

Bilateral tolerance

A tolerance applied equally in both directions from the nominal size, written as plus or minus a stated value.

Interference fit

A fit where the shaft is larger than the hole, requiring force or thermal expansion to assemble and transmitting torque without a key.

First-angle projection

Drawing convention where the view is placed on the side of the object opposite the observer, so the top view sits below the front view.

Surface roughness Ra

Arithmetic average deviation of a surface profile from its mean line, measured in micrometres; lower values indicate a smoother finish.

Annealing

Heat treatment that heats metal then cools it slowly, softening the material, relieving internal stress and refining grain structure.

Thermoplastic

Polymer that softens when heated and can be remoulded repeatedly because its polymer chains are not permanently cross-linked.

Galvanising

Coating steel with zinc, which corrodes preferentially and protects the steel from rust by barrier and sacrificial action.

Tempering

Reheating hardened steel to a lower temperature to reduce brittleness and improve toughness while retaining useful hardness.

Tap drill size

Drill diameter for tapping equals the tap major diameter minus the thread pitch, giving approximately 75 percent thread engagement.

Fillet weld throat

The effective thickness of a 45 degree fillet weld, calculated as leg length multiplied by 0.707, used for strength calculations.

Porosity defect

Gas trapped in solidified weld metal forming small cavities, usually caused by moisture, oil or insufficient shielding gas.

Deburring

Removing sharp edges and raised metal left by cutting or machining, improving safety, fit and surface finish before assembly.

Critical path

The longest sequence of dependent tasks in a project schedule; it determines the shortest possible project duration.

Gantt chart

Bar chart showing project tasks against a time scale, used to plan, sequence and monitor progress of activities.

Design brief

A statement of the problem, end user needs, constraints and evaluation criteria that guides the engineering design process.

Bill of materials

A list of all parts, quantities, specifications and suppliers needed to manufacture an item, used for costing and ordering.

Toolbox talk

A short pre-work briefing covering task hazards, controls, responsibilities and emergency arrangements for the team.

Active listening

Concentrating fully on a speaker and confirming understanding by restating or questioning, important for safety-critical instructions.

Job card

A document recording task details, materials, time and sign-off, providing traceability and evidence of completed work.

Escalation

Reporting a hazard, defect or unresolved issue to a supervisor or leading hand so it can be controlled promptly.

Apprenticeship

Paid training pathway combining structured on-the-job experience with off-the-job study, leading to a nationally recognised qualification.

Employability skills

Transferable capabilities valued by employers, including communication, teamwork, problem solving, initiative, planning and self-management.

Lean manufacturing

Approach that removes waste such as waiting, overproduction, excess inventory, motion, transport, overprocessing and defects.

Life-cycle assessment

Evaluation of environmental impact across a product's full life, from material extraction and manufacture through use to disposal or recycling.