Production Processes: resources to help students excel
High school Design and Technology students are required to have an understanding of industrial practices and production processes used in manufacturing products, and why these are used in various contexts.
This includes an understanding of:
- Workshop Safety: how to work safely in a high school Design and Technology workshop;
- Scale of production: including individual (one-off), batch, mass production, and continuous production, as well as an understanding of ‘just-in-time’ manufacturing;
- Quality Control: how consistent quality standards can be achieved using methods such as templates and jigs, as well as monitored via system feedback;
- Cutting Tools: including how to use electronic and hand tools, laser cutters, and vinyl cutting machines;
- Drilling Tools: including hand, powered and press drills;
- Shaping Tools: including familiarity with a wood shaping tools, such as a wood lathe and centre lathe, routing, files, rasps, and abrasive paper (sandpaper), as well an understanding of the steps involved in vacuum forming and line bending;
- Computer-Aided Manufacture: an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages using CAM;
- Joining and Fabrication: including 3D printing, welding, adhesive bonding, and other construction/assembly processes.
- Wood Finishing Techniques: including varnishing and painting;
- Printing Methods: including digital printing and screen printing.
A collection of articles exploring these topics can be found below.