WACE MDT ATAR key terms

A short written statement from the client that sets out the problem to be solved, the intended user, the key constraints and the criteria the finished product must satisfy.

The specific measurable requirements a design solution must meet, such as size limits, load capacity, cost ceiling or durability, used later to judge whether the outcome is successful.

A fixed limit on a design that cannot be changed, such as a maximum budget, an available machine size, a legal standard or a deadline, which narrows the range of possible solutions.

The person or organisation paying for and commissioning the design work, whose needs and budget shape the brief and who signs off the final outcome.

The person who will actually use or operate the product, whose physical size, skill level and working conditions must be considered during design.

Measurements of human body size and reach, such as height, grip span and seated eye level, used to size products and workspaces so most users can operate them comfortably.

The study of how people interact with products and workplaces, applied so that tasks fit human capabilities and reduce strain, fatigue and injury risk.

A structured sequence of stages, typically investigation, ideation, development, planning and evaluation, used to move from an identified need to a tested, documented solution.

The divergent stage of generating many possible solutions using techniques such as brainstorming, sketching, morphological analysis and SCAMPER before any idea is judged.

A quick freehand drawing that records and communicates an early design idea, showing form, proportion and function without precise dimensions.

A drawing method that shows a three-dimensional object as separate flat views, usually front, top and side, arranged in a fixed layout so dimensions can be read accurately.

A pictorial drawing in which the three main axes are set 120 degrees apart, showing height, width and depth together without perspective distortion.

A fully dimensioned, scaled drawing that gives a manufacturer every measurement, material, tolerance and finish needed to make a component without further instruction.

A drawing in which all dimensions are reduced or enlarged by the same fixed ratio, such as 1:10, so the drawing accurately represents the real object.

A realistic image, made by hand or computer, that shows a design's form, colour, texture and surface finish to communicate how the finished product will look.

Computer-aided design: software used to build accurate two- or three-dimensional models and drawings that can be edited, shared and passed to manufacturing machines.

A design approach that simplifies parts, reduces fasteners and eases handling so a product can be made and put together quickly, cheaply and with fewer errors.

Designing products so components can be separated easily at end of life, using reversible fasteners and material labelling to allow repair, reuse and recycling.

Meeting present needs without depleting resources or harming the environment for future generations, achieved through material choice, energy efficiency, durability and recyclability.

A structured method that measures the environmental impacts of a product across raw material extraction, manufacture, use and disposal, so designers can compare options.

The total energy consumed in extracting, processing, manufacturing and transporting a material or product, expressed per unit mass or per item.

A material made from two or more distinct constituents, such as glass fibres in a resin matrix, that combine to give properties better than either part alone.

A metal made by melting and mixing two or more elements, for example copper with zinc to make brass, to improve strength, hardness or corrosion resistance.

A polymer that softens when heated and hardens on cooling, and can be reshaped repeatedly, which makes it easy to recycle and suitable for moulding processes.

A polymer whose molecular chains cross-link permanently during curing, so it cannot be remelted or reshaped and is chosen for heat resistance and rigidity.

The measurable characteristics that decide how a material behaves, including tensile strength, hardness, toughness, density, conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

The maximum pulling stress a material can carry before it breaks, usually measured in megapascals and important for ropes, cables and structural members.

A material's resistance to being scratched, indented or worn, tested by methods such as Brinell or Rockwell and relevant to cutting tools and wear surfaces.

The ability of a material to absorb energy and deform plastically before fracturing, so tough materials resist impact and sudden shock loads.

Controlled heating and cooling of a metal to change its internal structure, used to harden, soften, stress-relieve or toughen a component for its service conditions.

The chemical process by which a resin, adhesive or concrete hardens and gains strength over time, sometimes accelerated by heat, catalyst or moisture.

A graph plotting two material properties against each other, such as strength versus density, so designers can compare candidate materials and choose the best compromise.

Using agreed common sizes, threads, components or procedures so parts from different suppliers are interchangeable, reducing cost and simplifying assembly and repair.

The property of parts made to the same specification being able to replace one another without fitting or adjustment, which depends on controlled tolerances.

The permitted variation in a dimension during manufacture, stated as a plus or minus range, balancing the need for accuracy against the cost of achieving it.

A device that holds the workpiece and guides the cutting tool to a fixed position, so repeated operations are accurate without skilled marking out.

A work-holding device that locates and clamps a component securely during machining or assembly but does not guide the tool itself.

Continuous manufacture of large quantities of identical items using dedicated machinery, assembly lines and standardised parts to achieve very low unit cost.

Making a set quantity of the same product before switching to another, using general-purpose machines and jigs, suited to moderate demand and varied product ranges.

Manufacture of a single unique item, such as a custom piece of furniture, using skilled labour and general-purpose tools with high unit cost.

A process in which heated thermoplastic is forced under pressure into a closed metal mould, then cooled and ejected, giving fast, repeatable production of complex shapes.

A slight taper built into the vertical walls of a moulded or cast part so it can be removed from the mould without dragging or damaging the surface.

Computer-aided manufacturing: the use of computer software to convert a CAD model into machine instructions that control cutting, forming or printing equipment.

A machine tool controlled by coded numerical instructions, able to cut complex shapes repeatedly to tight tolerances with minimal operator intervention.

Additive processes that build a physical model layer by layer directly from a CAD file, allowing designers to test form and fit quickly before tooling is made.

A physical or virtual early version of a design built to test function, fit, ergonomics or appearance and to gather feedback before full production.

The checks and measurements carried out during and after production to confirm that items meet the specification, using sampling, gauges and documented procedures.

The planned system of procedures and standards built into a process to prevent defects arising, rather than detecting them after manufacture.

The longest sequence of dependent tasks in a project schedule, which sets the shortest possible completion time and must be monitored closely.

A bar chart that plots project tasks against a calendar timeline, showing start and finish dates, durations, overlaps and progress at a glance.

The amount by which a task can be delayed without delaying the whole project, calculated as the difference between late and early finish dates.

Planning, organising and controlling resources, time, cost and people so that a project meets its brief and deadlines within budget.

Identifying possible hazards or failures, judging how likely and serious they are, and putting controls in place to reduce their impact on people and schedules.

A documented process that identifies hazards in a workshop or task, evaluates the likelihood and severity of harm, and records control measures to reduce risk.

A written set of step-by-step instructions for carrying out a task safely, including required guards, personal protective equipment and emergency actions.

A detailed written and tabulated description of what a product or component must be, covering dimensions, materials, finishes, performance and testing requirements.

The stage where a finished or prototype outcome is judged against the original design criteria and client needs, with strengths, weaknesses and improvements recorded.

A material or energy source that can be replenished within a human lifetime, such as plantation timber, bamboo or solar energy, unlike finite mineral ores.

The time taken to complete one full production cycle or produce one unit, used to calculate output rate and identify bottlenecks on a production line.