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Product Design Control Components

This is an 8-slide sample from Boardworks KS4 Design & Technology

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Learning objectives

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To be able to identify common electronic and mechanical components.

To understand the functions and uses of common electronic and mechanical components.

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Gears play a major role in mechanisms. They are discs with toothed edges, which rotate around a central axle. They come in a variety of sizes and are used to change the direction and speed of motion. However, the motion always remains rotary in nature.

A worm gear can change the rotary motion by 90 degrees, as well as affecting the speed.

What are gears?

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Gears test

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Levers are an essential part of many mechanisms. They can be used to change the strength and direction of movement.

What are levers?

Levers magnify the strength of forces. The longer the lever, the more the force is magnified.

The fixed point of a lever is known as the fulcrum.

Two common examples of everyday levers are a pair of scissors and a seesaw.

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Levers test

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Pulleys Pulleys are used to transfer motion. They work under rotary motion. Motion is passed along a pulley belt causing more pulleys to turn.

The size of the pulley wheels determines the speed of motion – this can be altered accordingly.

You can twist the belt, causing the rotary motion to change direction.

Pulleys can also increase the strength of a force, and are useful for lifting heavy objects.

What are pulleys?

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Pulleys test