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A: Metals
A: Metals
For your product analysis, consider:
How much steel is used in the design?
What is the function of the steel (structural, strength, aesthetics, etc.)?
Design opportunity
Design opportunity
How could this material be reduced or eliminated from the design?
How could this material be reduced or eliminated from the design?
Resources
Resources
Metals (Design and Inquiry)
For your product analysis, consider:
How much aluminum is used in the design?
What is the function of the steel (structural, strength, aesthetics, etc.)?
Design opportunity
Design opportunity
How could this material be reduced or eliminated from the design?
How could this material be reduced or eliminated from the design?
Lithium Batteries
Lithium Batteries
For your product analysis, consider:
Does the design use a battery?
What is the energy source for the battery?Renewable or non-renewable?
What kind of user experience does the battery allow? Does it allow the product to be portable?
What other aspects of the charging system need to be considered? charging cable, charging station?
Design opportunity
Design opportunity
How might the energy efficiency of the product be improved so there is less demand for the energy?
How might the energy efficiency of the product be improved so there is less demand for the energy?
How might electrical energy be eliminated or reduced in the design?
How might electrical energy be eliminated or reduced in the design?
B: Plastics
B: Plastics
Plastics are Categorized into two types; Thermoplastics and Thermoset plastics. These types of plastics
A third type, Bioplastics, is becoming more important. These are thermoplastics or thermoset plastics that are made from renewable, natural, or sustainable sources.
For your product analysis, consider:
What types of plastic were used in the design? (If you need help identifying the types, speak to your teacher)
Did the manufacturer include any labels or marks to show what type of plastic was used?
Why was plastic used instead of other materials? (low cost, aesthetics, availability, material properties...?
Design Opportunity
Design Opportunity
How could the amount of plastic used in the design be reduced or eliminated?
How could the amount of plastic used in the design be reduced or eliminated?
C: Foam
C: Foam
Most foams used in products are thermoset plastics.
For your product analysis, consider:
How much foam is used?
What is the purpose of the foam? Is it for comfort, filtering air or water, creating a seal?
Design Opportunity:
Design Opportunity:
How could this material be removed, substituted, or redesigned?
How could this material be removed, substituted, or redesigned?
Resources
Resources
For your product analysis, consider:
What are some of the challenges with recycling foam?
What are some of the environmental issues associated with foam?
Would your product have used styrofoam in its packaging?
Design Opportunity
Design Opportunity
How could the packaging of the product be redesigned to use less packaging and/or eliminate foam packaging?
How could the packaging of the product be redesigned to use less packaging and/or eliminate foam packaging?
D: Glass
D: Glass
For your analysis, consider:
How much glass is used in the design?
What is the purpose of the glass?
Why was glass used, instead of clear plastic, for example?
Design Opportunity
Design Opportunity
How could the use of glass be reduced or eliminated in this product?
How could the use of glass be reduced or eliminated in this product?
Resources
Resources
Glass (Design and Inquiry)
E: Electronics
E: Electronics
For your analysis, consider:
How much of the product contains electronic components?
Are these components easily replaceable? Are tehy designing in a way that they can be easily removed and replaced?
Do the components have labels on them to identify what they are?
Design Opportunity
Design Opportunity
How could this product use electronics in a more sustainable way?
How could this product use electronics in a more sustainable way?
How could the design be re-designed to avoid the use of electronics?
How could the design be re-designed to avoid the use of electronics?
F: Joining and fasteners
F: Joining and fasteners
Joining refers to connecting two materials or components together. Joining techniques can be organized into two categories:
Joining refers to connecting two materials or components together. Joining techniques can be organized into two categories:
Permanent Techniques:
Permanent Techniques:
These techniques give a strong connection. They usually require special equipment, skills, or materials. Because they are permanent, they can limit how easily a product can be disassembled for recycling or repair.
Welding: Use of heat to join metal to metal.
Brazing: Use of heat and another metal to join two metals together.
Adhesive (glue): Adhesives are chemicals that wend dried create a strong bond between two surfaces.
For your analysis, consider:
How are parts joined together? Are these joints permanent or temporary?
Does the product need to be "broken" in order to open it, or can it be opened using tools?
Why were certain fasteners used in the product? Cost? Performance? Durability?
Design Opportunity
Design Opportunity
How could this product use electronics in a more sustainable way?
How could this product use electronics in a more sustainable way?
How could the design be re-designed to avoid the use of electronics?
How could the design be re-designed to avoid the use of electronics?
Adhesives (glue)
Welding
Temporary Techniques
Temporary Techniques
These types of fasteners are often used to join two or more dissimilar materials together, or in cases where pieces need to be joined and later separated (velcro shoe laces, knockdown flatpack furniture).
These include fasteners that can be used and removed. There are a range of temporary fasteners, each designed fro specific materials and use cases.
Nuts and Bolts
Screws
Velcro
Cable Tie
Knock-down fittings
Google Sites
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