LGCSE Design & Technology (0189) study guide
LGCSE Design & Technology (0189) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
LGCSE Design & Technology (0189) is a school-level qualification that assesses whether a candidate can move from a design brief to a considered, workable product. It suits learners who enjoy solving practical problems, sketching ideas, working with resistant and smart materials, and testing what they build. The LGCSE Design & Technology (0189) study guide has 9 sections and about 2,359 words.
01Design process and the iterative design cycle
Design process and the iterative design cycle is examined through questions on briefs, research, specifications, prototyping, testing and evaluation, and on how feedback loops change earlier decisions. A brief states the problem and intended user; a specification turns it into measurable criteria (dimensions, mass, cost, safety, function).
260 words, about 1 min02Materials, components and their properties
Materials, components and their properties is examined by asking you to classify materials and justify choices using measurable properties. Woods : hardwoods (oak, beech) are generally denser and more durable; softwoods (pine, spruce) are cheaper and easier to work.
253 words, about 1 min03Manufacturing processes, tools and workshop practice
Manufacturing processes, tools and workshop practice is examined through marking out, cutting, shaping, drilling, joining, finishing, jigs, tolerances and quality control. Mark out from a datum , a true face or edge, and carry dimensions from it; never stack measurements.
260 words, about 1 min04Mechanisms, structures and mechanical systems
Mechanisms, structures and mechanical systems is examined through lever, gear, pulley and cam calculations, and through force analysis in frames. Levers : class 1 (fulcrum between load and effort), class 2 (load between), class 3 (effort between).
266 words, about 1 min05Electrical and electronic systems and control
Electrical and electronic systems and control is examined through input-process-output circuits, component selection, simple calculations and control logic. Ohm's law : V = I x R.
265 words, about 1 min06CAD/CAM, digital technologies and emerging technologies
CAD/CAM, digital technologies and emerging technologies is examined through modelling, file formats, CAM output, additive and subtractive manufacture, and newer digital tools. CAD ranges from 2D drafting to parametric 3D modelling, assemblies, rendering and simulation such as FEA.
288 words, about 1 min07Sustainability, environmental impact and responsible design
Sustainability, environmental impact and responsible design is examined through life-cycle thinking, material choice, energy, waste and ethical responsibility. The 6 Rs : refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, rethink.
240 words, about 1 min08Design communication and graphical presentation
Design communication and graphical presentation is examined through sketching, orthographic and isometric drawing, dimensioning, sections and assembly views. Isometric uses three axes at 30 degrees to the horizontal; lengths along axes are true, circles become ellipses.
271 words, about 1 min09Health, safety and risk assessment in the workshop
Health, safety and risk assessment in the workshop is examined through hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures and safe practice with machines, dust, chemicals and electricity. A hazard is something with potential to harm; risk is the chance and severity of that harm.
256 words, about 1 min