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EnglandDesign and Technology

Product analysis and systems (Component 1)

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is an electronic system structured, and what do input and process subsystems do?

Electronic systems as input, process and output, input sensors (switches, LDR, thermistor) and the potential divider, process subsystems (transistors, comparators, logic gates, timers) and how a system senses a condition and decides a response.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on electronic input and process systems: the input, process, output model, input sensors such as switches, LDRs and thermistors, the potential divider, and process subsystems including transistors, comparators, logic gates and timers, with a worked potential divider calculation.
12 min answer →

How do gears, cams and pulleys transmit and change motion, and how are their ratios calculated?

Gears and gear trains, the velocity ratio and gear ratio, idler gears, compound gear trains, cams and followers, pulleys and belts and their ratios, and how these mechanisms change the speed, force and type of motion.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on gears, cams and pulleys: gear trains, gear ratio and velocity ratio, idler and compound gears, cams and followers, and pulley and belt systems, with a worked gear ratio calculation and how each changes speed, force and motion.
12 min answer →

How do levers and linkages change forces and motion, and what is mechanical advantage?

Levers and the three lever classes, mechanical advantage and the law of the lever, types of motion (linear, rotary, reciprocating, oscillating), linkages (reverse, parallel, bell crank) and how mechanisms change the size, direction and type of a force or motion.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on mechanisms, levers and linkages: the three lever classes, mechanical advantage and the law of the lever, the four types of motion, and reverse, parallel and bell crank linkages, with a worked mechanical advantage calculation.
12 min answer →

How does a designer analyse an existing product, and what can disassembly reveal?

Product analysis and disassembly: analysing a product's function, form, materials, manufacture, ergonomics, cost and sustainability, the use of ACCESS FM or similar frameworks, and what taking a product apart reveals about its construction and design decisions.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on product analysis and disassembly: analysing function, form, materials, manufacture, ergonomics, cost and sustainability with frameworks such as ACCESS FM, and what disassembly reveals about construction, materials and design decisions.
12 min answer →

What do output subsystems do, and how do microcontrollers and programming control a product?

Output devices (LEDs, lamps, buzzers, motors, solenoids, relays), driving outputs with transistors and relays, microcontrollers and programmable interface controllers, flowchart programming, and how programmable control makes products flexible and responsive.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on programmable and output systems: output devices such as LEDs, buzzers, motors, solenoids and relays, driving outputs with transistors and relays, microcontrollers and programmable interface controllers, flowchart programming, and the benefits of programmable control.
12 min answer →

How do structures carry loads, and what forces and methods keep them stable and strong?

Structures and forces: tension, compression, bending, shear and torsion, how structures resist them, the moment of a force and equilibrium, beams, ties and struts, triangulation, and methods of reinforcing and stiffening a structure.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on structures and forces: tension, compression, bending, shear and torsion, ties and struts, the moment of a force and equilibrium, triangulation, and how structures are reinforced and stiffened, with a worked moments calculation.
12 min answer →