Production Process Diagram Examples for Design & Technology

Cambridge Design & Technology students often have to produce diagrams illustrating a particular production process. This typically involves sketches and diagrams organised in sequence, showing step involved: gathering materials, marking out, cutting, shaping/forming, joining, fitting, assembling and finishing. Here we offer key guidelines for answering these questions and provide several examples, illustrating possible ways of formatting answers.

Production processes used in lightweight graphic products

Production process method for Paper 1: Product Design
Examiner example of a production process for creating an acetate window in a packaging design.

Don’t forget to include the process of scoring lines

  • Scoring means to make an indentation in the surface of a material that acts as a fold line
  • Helps make clean, straight, precise fold lines
  • Prevents cracking or tearing of the material when folded
  • Made using a scoring tool (often a dull scalpel blade, back of a knife, or wheel) is pressed into the material.
  • This creates a shallow depression without cutting through the material
  • The depth and width of the score line can be adjusted based on the material thickness and desired fold
  • Can be manual or by machine for large-scale production of packaging etc
how to mark out a net on cardboard
Sequence diagram showing how to mark out a net on cardboard – don’t forget to describe scoring the fold lines!
Sample production process question in AS Design & Technology

Other production processes (AS/A2 students only)

how to create a butt joint
Showing the first steps in creating an MDF butt joint with countersunk screws and glue.