AS Level Product Design Course Description
AS Level Product Design •
Unit 1 - PROD1 Materials, Components and Applications
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Unit Description This unit will provide the opportunity for you to learn and understand the content required at AS level. You will use this knowledge and understanding to inform your coursework.
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The work you will carry out for this unit will be through the analysis of everyday products. You own observations of products is very much encouraged and will benefit you greatly as you work through this unit. The content of this unit is split into three main areas; Materials and Components, Design and Market Influences, Processes and Manufacture and when appropriate your analysis of products will look at all three areas together.
Materials and Components
You will need to develop an understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of a broad range of materials and components, and should understand why these are used ion specific applications. You will also need to consider their application in terms of the life-cycle of the product including manufacture, use and disposal.
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Design and Market Influences
Through your study of products you will also need to develop an understanding of the broader issues for the designer such as: environmental sustainability of products and their manufacture, ergonomic and anthropometrics, inclusive design and consumer safety.
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Processes and Manufacture
You should also develop a good understanding of the ways materials and components can be manipulated in order to manufacture products. Through study and first hand experience in your project work you will develop knowledge af health and safety issues relevant to working with materials. You will also have the opportunity to learn about CAD/CAM and basic quality control measures.
Unit 2 - PROD2 Learning through Designing and Making Unit Description This is a design and make unit where your knowledge and understanding of the AS subject content from unit 1 is applied to the design and making of a product . The Assessment Criteria for your AS level coursework is given in your assessment booklet. It is included to help you manage your work in order to maximise your acheivement. Your work for this unit will be one design and make project. The content of the project has been structured to progressively develop your knowledge and understanding of the processes of designing and making products. You will also have the opportunity to develop your CAD skills by working with a number of CAD packages and CAM equipment for manufacturing.
Materials and Components unit 1 Objectives At AS level you should be developing an understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of a broad range of materials and components. You should understand why these are used in specific applications with particular emphasis on the life-cycle of products including manufacture, use and disposal.
Types of materials • • • • • • •
Plastics Metals Woods Ceramics Glass Composite materials Smart materials
For each type of material you need to know: • The general properties • The source • Application • Processes • Its uses • Finishes and finishing processes • The effect the environment has on it
Autumn Half Term What you will study: Polymers and processes Biodegradable Additives Composites Ergonomics Intro into sustainability Skills you will develop: 3D sketching Marker rendering Health and safety Plastics forming-line Vacuum forming-drape Injection moulding Product Analysis Using resins
Autumn Half Term to December What you will study: Metals Metal forming Joining Metal finishes Safety ( consumer products) Intro into mark scheme
Skills you will develop: Health and safety Pewter casting Sand casting Engraving Enameling Sheet metal bending Bending bar/tube Spot welding Brazing
Jan to Spring Half term What you will study:
skills you will develop:
Woods Manufactured boards Joining processes Finishes Ecodesign Health and safety in Industry
Steam bending timber Wood turning Modelling and making skills ProDesktop CAD CAM
Spring Half term to Easter What you will study:
Skills you will develop:
Modern materials Smart materials Ecodesign
Oral presentation Modelling and making skills Product Analysis
Mock exam
Easter to May half term What you will study: Graphic products and processes Modelling materials and finishing Quality control/assurance Unit 1 exam prep
Skills you will develop: Evaluation of all skills developed so far
June to July Intro into A2 course theory: Design and the environment Developing essay writing skills Developing independent research skills