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EnglandDesign and Technology

Structures, mechanisms and electronic systems (Component 01)

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

How do electronic systems work as inputs, processes and outputs, and how are resistors, Ohm's law and potential dividers used?

Electronic systems as input, process and output blocks: sensors and switches as inputs, processing devices, and output transducers, with Ohm's law, series and parallel resistors, and the potential divider used to sense light and temperature, including calculations.
A focused answer to OCR A-Level Product Design on electronic systems: the input, process, output model, sensors and output transducers, Ohm's law, series and parallel resistors, and the potential divider used with an LDR or thermistor, with worked calculations.
12 min answer →

How do gears, cams and pulleys transmit motion, and how are gear and velocity ratios calculated?

Rotary mechanisms: gears and gear trains (gear ratio and output speed), cams and followers (converting rotary to reciprocating motion), and pulleys and belt drives (velocity ratio and speed), with calculations of ratio and speed.
A focused answer to OCR A-Level Product Design on rotary mechanisms: gears and gear trains with gear-ratio and output-speed calculations, cams and followers converting rotary to reciprocating motion, and pulleys and belt drives with velocity-ratio and speed calculations.
12 min answer →

How do levers and linkages change the size, direction or type of a force or motion?

Mechanisms based on levers and linkages: the three classes of lever, mechanical advantage and velocity ratio, the principle of moments applied to levers, and linkages (reverse motion, parallel motion, bell crank) that change the direction or type of motion.
A focused answer to OCR A-Level Product Design on mechanisms based on levers and linkages: the three classes of lever, mechanical advantage and velocity ratio with worked calculations, the principle of moments applied to levers, and the common linkages that change the direction or type of motion.
12 min answer →

How do structures carry loads, and how do forces, moments and reinforcement keep a product strong and stable?

Structures and forces: types of structure (frame, shell, monocoque), the forces of tension, compression, shear, bending and torsion, the principle of moments and equilibrium, and methods of reinforcing and stiffening to improve strength and rigidity.
A focused answer to OCR A-Level Product Design on structures and forces: frame, shell and monocoque structures, the forces of tension, compression, shear, bending and torsion, the principle of moments and equilibrium with worked calculations, and methods of reinforcing and stiffening.
12 min answer →