Revision - Resistant Materials 2003.
The theme for your exam is Computer Workstations. You have already received the pre-release material from the exam board which identifies the areas to focus on for your revision. These are outlined below:

Construction techniques - How the desk could be assembled .
Materials and finishes - Names of suitable materials and the type of finish that could be applied.
Parts and components - Descriptions and uses of parts used in the assembly of a desk.
Industrial practice - Use of jigs/templates. Plastic forming techniques (Injection moulding etc).
Ergonomics - What and how human sizes will affect the design of a desk.
CAD/CAM - Use in producing a desk or its components. Advantages/disadvantages.
ICT - The types of objects which will be used/stored on a desk.
Design requirements - Producing designs for a desk with a given specification.
Environmental issues - Use of materials. Recycling etc.
Health and safety - Issues to do with the production of a desk and its use.

The vast majority of questions on your exam paper will be to do with this theme; however, there will also be some general Design and Technology questions which do not relate to the theme.

Following are some questions you could get asked. Work through these questions as part of your revision. Questions you cannot answer, find out the answers to!

1.Below is a picture of a wooden computer desk.

  
Wooden computer desk  
a)The desk is made from pine. Give 2 reasons why this material has been chosen.


b)Name a suitable hardwood the desk could be made from instead.

c)The desk is supplied without a finish. What does this mean?

d)Give 2 reasons why a finish might be needed on the desk.


e)Name 2 suitable finishes that could be applied to the desk.


f)The desk is sold as a ‘flat pack’. What does this mean?


g)What are the advantages of flat pack furniture to the following:
The manufacturer -


The retailer -


The consumer -


h)The desk uses ‘KD fittings’ for its assembly by the consumer. What is a ‘KD fitting’?
2.Below is a picture of part of a computer workstation. It shows a support for the desk top where it will join to a leg using 2 screws. The manufacturer is going to make the workstation in batches of 500.  
Support leg  
a)Give 2 reasons why the manufacturer would use a jig to mark out and drill the screw holes.


b)Using notes and sketches, design a jig which the manufacturer could use to mark out and drill the holes.

 

3.What is meant by the following terms:


a)Anthropometrics


b)Ergonomics


c)Aesthetics

  
4.List 5 pieces of anthropometric data a designer would use when designing a computer workstation.  
5.Below is a picture of a different computer workstation.  
Metal framed computer desk  

a)Name a suitable metal for making the frame and also give a reason.


b)The desk and shelf parts are made from MDF covered with a beech veneer. What is a veneer?

c)Give 3 reasons why the manufacturer has chosen to use MDF with a beech veneer rather than solid wood components.


d)The frame of the desk is made from metal tubes. In the ends of the tubes the manufacturer has chosen to put in plastic stoppers. Name a suitable plastic.


e)The plastic stoppers are to be made by injection moulding. Use notes and sketches to describe the process of injection moulding.

  

6.Explain how a manufacturer of a wooden computer workstation can make the product environmentally friendly in the following areas:


Choice of materials

Type of finish applied

The manufacturing processes used

 

 

7.Explain what this symbol means.

  
Recycling symbol  

8.A manufacturer is going to add feet to the computer workstations it sells. These feet are going to be made on a CNC lathe.


What are 2 advantages of using CAM to make the feet?


What are 2 disadvantages of using CAM to make the feet?

 
9.Safety in the workshop is very important. List 6 safety points that a manufacturer should consider to ensure that it provides a safe environment for its workers.  
10.In the space below, produce 2 designs for a computer workstation that will hold a PC, monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer. The design should include storage for 10 CD ROMs. Security should also be considered. The second design should be modified so that a wheelchair user can use the workstation with ease.  
   
   

Link to GCSE quizzes

Work through the GCSE quizzes