Materials, Processes and Maintenance

Question 1

What’s your knowledge of Materials?

Answer 1

Know the main category areas:

• Wood/timber
• Metal
• Plastics
• Fabrics, fibres and yarns

Sub-grouping within your category/categories - Hardwoods and Softwoods

Question 2

Properties

Answer 2

• Hardness
• Strength
• Durability
• Elasticity
• Ductility
• Corrosion resistance
• Ease of machining
• Thermal conductivity
• Electrical conductivity
• Wear resistance

Question 3

How can you test for hardness?

Answer 3

Drop a 12 mm ball bearing from a specified height (e.g.
300 mm), and compare the size of indentation and measure the height the ball rebounds. Harder surfaces will rebound further and not mark from the impact.

Question 4

How can you test for strength and durability?

Answer 4

Hang a load from the material sample, increasing the load
until failure occurs. Measure the weight required to break
the sample.

Question 5

What do you know about caring and maintaining of products (made from timber)?

Answer 5

Know basic repair, maintenance and how to clean procedures for common materials and product types in your category to keep their appearance and to prolong their life.

Question 6

Can you describe and draw production processes?

Answer 6

Know at least 4 or 5 production processes, including some with difficulty – describe what they look like (diagram), when then can be used and their advantages (eg. strength, speed, flexibility, etc.).

Think about how they might be altered for mass production.

Question 7

What do you know about managing risk - Risk Assessment?

Answer 7

• Identify hazards.
• Analyze or evaluate the risk associated with that hazard.
• Determine appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazard.