NCEA L1 Materials Tech key terms

The written statement of the problem a student plans to solve, naming the need, the intended user or stakeholder, and the limits the outcome must work within.

Any person or group affected by, or with an interest in, the outcome being designed, such as the user, client, retailer, or wider community.

The person who will actually use or wear the outcome in everyday life, whose needs and abilities guide the design decisions.

A precise list of measurable requirements the outcome must meet, including size, materials, function, appearance, cost, and any safety or legal constraints.

A limit the designer cannot change, such as budget, available equipment, time, safety rules, or the size of the space where the outcome will be used.

The early stage of generating and comparing several different ideas for solving the brief before choosing one to develop further.

Repeating the cycle of design, make, test, and improve so that each version of an outcome is better than the last.

An early working version of an outcome, made to test an idea, check fit, or show how the final product might look and function.

A simple model, often made from cheap materials such as card or foam, used to check shape, scale, and proportions quickly.

A smaller or larger accurate copy of an intended outcome, made to a fixed ratio so proportions and layout can be judged.

How well an outcome does the job it was designed for, in the conditions and for the length of time it is expected to be used.

Designing products and workspaces to suit the human body, reducing strain and making tasks comfortable, safe, and efficient to perform.

The measurement of human body sizes and proportions, used to size products such as seats, handles, and clothing so they fit real people.

The measurable characteristics of a material, such as strength, hardness, density, flexibility, and how it behaves when heated, wet, or loaded.

The maximum pulling force a material can withstand before it stretches permanently or breaks.

A material's resistance to being scratched, dented, or worn away by rubbing against another surface.

The ability of a material, especially a metal, to be stretched into wire or thin shapes without breaking.

The ability of a material to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without cracking or splitting.

How readily a material lets heat or electricity pass through it; metals generally conduct well, while plastics and timber act as insulators.

A material or layer that slows the movement of heat, sound, or electricity, keeping it in or out of a space or component.

A material made by combining two or more different materials so the finished product has better properties than either part alone, such as fibreglass.

A material built up by bonding thin layers together, often so the surface layer gives appearance or protection and the core gives strength.

A metal made by mixing a base metal with one or more other elements to improve properties such as strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance.

The gradual breakdown of a material, usually a metal, through chemical reaction with moisture, air, or other substances around it.

The treatment applied to the outside of a material or product, such as paint, varnish, oil, or polish, to protect it or improve its appearance.

How well a material or surface coating holds up against repeated rubbing, friction, and abrasion during normal use.

The acceptable amount by which a measured size may vary from the stated size while the part still fits and works correctly.

How close a measured or cut dimension is to the intended value; a cut that is accurate matches the drawing or plan.

The checks and procedures used during and after making to confirm that an outcome meets the specification and is consistent from one item to the next.

Planned trials that measure how an outcome or material performs, such as load tests, drop tests, or wear trials, so results can guide improvements.

A detailed drawing that gives all the dimensions, materials, and construction details needed to make a product accurately.

A drawing method showing a three-dimensional object as separate flat views, usually front, top, and side, arranged in a standard layout.

A three-dimensional drawing where the three main axes are drawn at equal angles, giving a clear pictorial view of the object's shape.

A table listing every piece of material needed for a project, with its size, quantity, and the material it is cut from.

Planning cuts and material use so that offcuts and discarded material are kept as small as possible, saving cost and resources.

Meeting present needs without damaging the ability of future generations to meet theirs, by considering material source, energy use, and end of life.

A material or energy source that can be replaced naturally within a reasonable time, such as plantation timber or wool.

The full journey of a product from raw material extraction through manufacture, use, and disposal or recycling.

The practices and controls, including protective equipment, safe tool use, and workshop rules, that keep people from being harmed while making.