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Picture Frame Project

Is there a link between engineering and craft?
An introduction to WJEC Engineering

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Project aims

Develop your understanding of how to carry out an investigation to solve a design/engineering problem.
Learn how to create new innovative designs and communicate them successfully to others.
Develop practical CAD/CAM manufacturing skills. Use 2D and 3D software to communicate ideas.
To learn about the impending environmental crisis and how it can be avoided.
To learn about design movements, user centred design and materials.

(Why am I doing this?)

So that I can understand the role of a designer/engineer.
So that I can make design choices based upon facts and evidence.
So that I will be more aware of how my decisions and actions as a consumer affect others.
So that I can communicate my design successfully to customers.

Click to download a VOC box for every time you learn a new word.

Click to download a peer and self-assessment sheet for when you need to reflect upon your work.

Your picture frame will be manufactured from a combination of wood, metal and plastic.
Have a go at manipulating the 3D CAD model above. Click here to download a copy of the Fusion 360 model which you can adapt yourself.

Which parts have been made from which material? Why do you think this is?

What does a picture frame have to do with engineering?

The short answer? Materials and making processes.

If engineers primarily design and make physical solutions to the worlds problems, they need to be able to have a strong knowledge of materials and making processes, they need to be able to measure and mark out accurately and they need to be able to interpret engineering drawings.

Different materials possess different, physical and chemical properties.

If engineers are going to ensure that their solution is going to work then they need to know which is 'best' the intended purpose.

Unfortunately, each material has to be handled, and processed differently and requires a good knowledge of how to safely handle, cut, shape, process and form it.

All engineers, must know about materials before they can go on to become a specialist in a specific area.

Lesson Topics

This course is intended to last approximately 12-16 weeks. Some topics will be a single lesson whilst others cover multiple lessons.

Click below to learn more.

Topic 1
~2 to 3 lessons

What is 'Engineering'?
What is 'Craft'?

Topic 2
4 to 6 lessons

Making the outer frame

Topic 3
2 to 3 lessons

Making the metal bracket

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