Cambridge Design & Technology students often have to produce diagrams illustrating a particular production process. This typically involves sketches and annotations organised in sequence, showing steps involved, such as: 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.
Attaching a transparent window in a package
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
Cutting a net from cardboard (by hand)
Making a model from styrofoam
Making a stencil using CAD/CAM
Other production processes (AS/A2 students only)
Creating a basic screwed butt joint from timber
Note: You can also buy separate countersink bits that can be used after the initial is drilled.
Cutting wood by hand
Sample examination questions (IGCSE Paper 5)
Examiner comment: This question required candidates to complete process boxes to show the tools or equipment they would use to carry out the two processes. Candidates who gave specific types of knives and adhesives achieved the best results.
Amiria has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. She is a CIE Accredited Art & Design and Design & Technology Coursework Assessor. Amiria now teaches Art, Design & Technology at ACG Parnell College.