Mechanical Systems

Design and make pneumatic toys

Design

• Designing a toy which uses a pneumatic system.  

• Developing design criteria from a design brief. 

• Generating ideas using thumbnail sketches and exploded diagrams. 

 • Learning that different types of drawings are used in design to explain ideas clearly.

Make

•  Creating a pneumatic system to create a desired motion.  

• Building secure housing for a pneumatic system. 

• Using syringes and balloons to create different types of pneumatic systems  to make a functional and appealing pneumatic toy. 

• Selecting materials due to their functional and aesthetic characteristics.  

• Manipulating materials to create different effects by cutting, creasing,  folding and weaving. 

Evaluate

•Using the views of others to improve designs.  

• Testing and modifying the outcome, suggesting improvements.  

• Understanding the purpose of exploded-diagrams through the eyes of a  designer and their client

Technical Knowledge 

•To understand how pneumatic systems work.  

• To understand that pneumatic systems can be used as part of a mechanism. 

 • To know that pneumatic systems operate by drawing in, releasing and  compressing air.