← Product Design and Technologies syllabus

EnglandProduct Design and Technologies

Manufacturing processes

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do CAD, CAM and digital manufacture change how products are designed and made?

The role of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM) in modern design and production, including digital modelling and simulation, CNC machining, laser cutting, 3D printing and rapid prototyping, and the advantages and limitations of digital design and manufacture for accuracy, speed, cost and product development.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on digital design and manufacture, covering CAD modelling and simulation, CAM with CNC machining, laser cutting, 3D printing and rapid prototyping, and the advantages and limitations for accuracy, speed and cost.
13 min answer →

How are materials joined and finished, and why does each method suit a particular product?

Methods of joining materials (permanent and temporary, including adhesives, welding, brazing and soldering, mechanical fixings such as screws, rivets and knock-down fittings, and stitching) and methods of applying surface finishes and treatments (painting, powder coating, anodising, galvanising, lacquering, polishing, dip coating) and the reasons each is selected for protection, function or aesthetics.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on joining and finishing, covering permanent and temporary joints (adhesives, welding, fixings, knock-down fittings) and surface finishes and treatments (powder coating, anodising, galvanising) chosen for protection, function or aesthetics.
13 min answer →

How does the scale of production change the tooling, cost and method used to make a product?

The scales of production (one-off or bespoke, batch, mass and continuous production), the characteristics of each, how production volume affects tooling, unit cost, labour, lead time and automation, and how a designer matches the scale to the product and market.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on scales of production, covering one-off, batch, mass and continuous manufacture, their characteristics, and how production volume changes tooling, unit cost, labour and automation when matching a process to a product.
13 min answer →

Which industrial processes shape, form and cast materials, and what does each suit?

Key industrial shaping and forming processes for polymers (injection moulding, blow moulding, vacuum forming, extrusion, rotational moulding), for metals (casting, die casting, forging, press forming) and for timber (laminating, steam bending), including how each process works, the tooling it needs and the scale of production it suits.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on industrial shaping, forming and casting, covering injection, blow, rotational and vacuum forming, extrusion, metal casting, die casting and forging, and timber lamination and steam bending, with the tooling and scale each suits.
14 min answer →