BEC JCE Design & Tech flashcards
BEC JCE Design & Tech · Build recall with a focused review session.
33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Design brief
- A short statement of the problem, target user and main constraints that starts a project and defines what must be achieved before detailed specification work begins.
- Product specification
- A list of measurable requirements such as dimensions, mass, cost, load capacity and lifespan that a design must meet and that later evaluation is tested against.
- Morphological chart
- A grid listing each sub-function against possible solutions, used to combine options systematically and generate concepts that might otherwise be overlooked during idea generation.
- Weighted decision matrix
- A table scoring each concept against weighted criteria; the weighted scores are totalled and the highest total indicates the most suitable concept for development.
- Divergent thinking
- Generating a wide range of varied ideas without judging them early, expanding the options available before narrowing down to a chosen solution in later stages.
- Young's modulus
- The ratio of stress to strain in the elastic region, a measure of stiffness; a higher value means the material deflects less under the same applied load.
- Thermoplastic
- A polymer that softens reversibly when heated and hardens on cooling, so it can be reshaped and recycled; examples include polyethylene, polypropylene and acrylic.
- Thermosetting polymer
- A polymer whose cross-linked chains cure irreversibly when heated or catalysed, so it cannot be remelted; examples include epoxy resin and melamine formaldehyde.
- Toughness
- The ability of a material to absorb impact energy and deform plastically without fracturing, making it suitable for applications subject to shock or sudden loading.
- Specific strength
- Tensile strength divided by density; a high value indicates a lightweight material that carries high load, important in aircraft and transport structures.
- Anisotropic composite
- A material whose stiffness and strength differ with direction, typical of fibre-reinforced composites that are strong along the fibres but weak across them.
- Tempering
- Reheating quenched steel to a moderate temperature to relieve internal stress, reducing hardness slightly while restoring toughness so the part resists impact.
- Chuck key removal
- The chuck key must be taken out immediately after tightening a drill bit; if left in, it can be thrown from the rotating chuck and cause serious injury.
- RCD protection
- A residual current device detects earth leakage and cuts the supply quickly, reducing the risk of electric shock from faulty workshop equipment and leads.
- Jig
- A device that holds the workpiece and also guides the cutting tool, so repeated parts are produced in the same position with consistent accuracy.
- COSHH assessment
- A legal assessment of substances hazardous to health such as dusts, solvents and resin hardeners, identifying exposure routes and the controls required to reduce risk.
- Control hierarchy
- The order of risk controls: eliminate the hazard, substitute a safer option, use engineering controls, then administrative controls, with personal protective equipment last.
- Injection moulding
- A high-volume process in which molten thermoplastic is forced into a closed steel mould; tooling cost is high but unit cost falls sharply with quantity.
- Vacuum forming
- A process where heated thermoplastic sheet is drawn over a male mould by vacuum; draft angles and rounded corners are needed so the part releases cleanly.
- Kerf
- The width of material removed by a cutting tool such as a laser or saw blade, which must be allowed for when designing slots and press-fit joints.
- Poka-yoke
- An error-proofing design feature that makes a mistake impossible or immediately obvious, such as a locating pin that allows a part to fit only one way.
- Tolerance
- The permitted variation in a dimension; a tight tolerance gives better fit and function but raises manufacturing cost because more precise processes are needed.
- FDM anisotropy
- In fused deposition modelling, parts are weaker across layer boundaries than along them, so layer orientation must be planned for load-bearing components.
- Third-angle projection
- A drawing convention where each view is placed on the side from which it is viewed, so the plan appears above the front elevation on the sheet.
- Hidden detail lines
- Dashed lines on an orthographic drawing showing edges that are not visible in that view, helping the reader understand internal and rear features.
- Isometric drawing
- A pictorial drawing using three axes at 30 degrees to the horizontal with true lengths along each axis, giving a three-dimensional impression without perspective distortion.
- Parametric CAD
- A modelling approach where dimensions and constraints drive geometry, so changing one value automatically updates the model and associated drawings.
- Centre line convention
- A chain thin line with long and short dashes marking axes of symmetry and hole centres, used as a reference for dimensioning and symmetry checks.
- Cradle-to-grave analysis
- Assessment of a product's environmental impact across extraction, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal, identifying the stage with the greatest impact.
- Embodied energy
- The total energy used to extract, process and deliver a material or product, often dominated by extraction and processing rather than by the use phase.
- Design for disassembly
- Designing products with reversible fasteners and snap fits so parts can be repaired, upgraded and separated into pure material streams at end of life.
- Anthropometric percentile
- A statistical measure of body dimension distribution; the 5th percentile suits reach limits, the 95th suits clearance, and the 50th suits general sizing.
- Inclusive design
- Designing for the widest range of users, including extremes of age, size and ability, so products work without special adaptation or separate versions.