Systems & Control AS Theory List

A: Materials and Components

Resistant Materials A general understanding of the following groupings of materials: • common ferrous and non-ferrous metals including alloys • common thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics • common hardwoods, softwoods and manmade boards • smart materials created to provide specific properties. e.g. thermoplastic sheet, smart wire

A general understanding of the working properties, commonly available market forms and suitable finishes for enhancement and protection.

Comparative Properties - Sufficient detail to allow products/systems to be manufactured Comparative Testing: Common methods of workshop testing to compare the properties of materials e.g. tensile strength, hardness, toughness

Electronic and electrical materials and discrete components - Classification, basic characteristics, groupings and applications, e.g. conductors, insulators, semi-conductors, resistors, capacitors, switches, relays, diodes, transistors, field effect transistors (FET), digital integrated circuits, analogue integrated circuits, microcontrollers

Construction Techniques - A practical knowledge of: • two methods of modelling an electronic circuit • two methods of producing a PCB

Electronic System Components Input Transducers A minimum of one electronic input transducer which is activated by each of the following: Sound, light, pressure, rotary movement, linear movement, strain, moisture, vibration, magnetism, temperature

Electronic Processing Systems: Logic: The use and combination of 2, 3 and 4 input gates with the following functions NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR

Timers A minimum of two alternative methods of producing: • a single output pulse of a set duration • a string of output pulses with a set mark/space ratio Counters - A minimum of two alternative methods of counting input pulses to produce: • a decade output • a binary output • the correct coding to operate a 7 segment display

Decoders - A minimum of one method of decoding a 4 bit binary Input to: • drive a 7 segment display • produce a decade output Latches - A minimum of two alternative methods of setting and latching the state of an output for a specific input.

Amplifiers - A minimum of two alternative methods of amplifying each of the following: • current • voltage

Comparators - A minimum of one method of comparing: • different input voltages • digital inputs

Output Transducers A minimum of one electronic output transducer for each of the following: • linear motion • rotary motion • precise angular movement • heat • light • sound • amplification • magnetism

Mechanical Systems Mechanical components - Classification and an awareness of everyday mechanical applications.

Mechanical Processes - A minimum of two mechanical systems to provide each of the following transmissions of motion: • rotary to rotary (parallel shafts) • rotary to rotary (perpendicular shafts) • rotary to linear, linear to rotary • rotary to reciprocating • reciprocating to rotary • rotary to oscillatory • oscillatory to rotary

The systems should be capable of amplifying the movement or force of the input. B: Design and Market Influences

Development of Technologies and Design CAD/CAM - The effect of CAD/CAM and Computer Integrated Manufacture on the: • design process • methods of working • methods of production

Design Processes - Major routes and stages within design process

Scale of production - Matching the material/process to the scale of production intended for the product/system.

Application of one-off-batch and mass production methods

Quality Control and Quality Assurance - Understanding of the terms and how the processes can be applied to products and systems during all stages of their design, development and manufacture

Design in Practice Material, Component and System Selection - Selection of materials, components and systems to match the specification, method of production and intended use of the product/system

Modelling - The use of prototyping techniques to model and test systems, e.g. Breadboarding. The use of ICT as a modelling tool

Health and Safety - Risk assessment in the design and manufacture of products and systems

Communication Methods - The means by which the detail and form of products, environments and systems are communicated so that they can be manufactured

Identify and use appropriate means to communicate ideas, design proposals and evaluations to a range of audiences, including clients and potential users of the product

Flowcharts: Start, end, input, output, process, decision, feedback, increment, subroutines

Illustration - Selection and use of appropriate 2D/3D techniques. e.g. CAD, sketching, drawing, photography

Symbolic Representation - Electrical, electronic, mechanical components and systems

Enhancement Rendering - use of line/tone/colour/form Texture - to represent materials and surface finishes Presentation - 2D and 3D products and systems

Information Drawing Quantitative: • graphs • pie charts • bar charts • pictograms

Organisational and topological: • flowcharts • sequential/schematic drawings

Modelling • using 3D forms • mock-ups • prototypes • scale models

Design in the Human Context Use of ICT - Selection and use of CAD, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, data capture, modelling and simulation software.

Recycling/Disposal Ways in which the design and production may be altered to allow for recycling or safe disposal of its constituent parts and packaging

Pollution - The primary and secondary pollution caused by various energy sources. The effects these have on the environment

Social/cultural - An awareness of how design and technology is affected by social, political, cultural and environmental pressures.

Systems Analysis - The use of systems analysis as a tool for the understanding of existing systems and as an aid for their own designing

Safety - The relevance of safety with regard to the maker and to the relationship between user and product/system. C: Processes and Manufacture

Industrial and Commercial Practices Industrial processes Understanding of how familiar processes used in school are related to those used in the industrial context, especially with reference to batch and mass production. e.g. sand casting, die casting, vacuum forming, PCB production.

Health and Safety - Be able to identify possible risks involved with processes, and suggest ways of minimising these

Product/Systems Manufacturing Wastage - Hand and machine methods of shaping commonly available resistant materials by wastage. A minimum of four hand methods, machine methods and CAM methods.

Addition/Fabrication - Permanent fabrication techniques suitable for wood. A minimum of two mechanical methods and chemical methods

Permanent fabrication techniques suitable for metal. A minimum of two: • thermal methods • mechanical methods

Permanent fabrication techniques suitable for plastic. A minimum of two: • thermal methods • mechanical methods • chemical methods

Temporary fabrication techniques suitable for wood, metal and plastic. A minimum of three mechanical methods.

Redistribution /Deformation • a minimum of three redistribution/deformation processes suitable for metals • a minimum of three redistribution/deformation processes suitable for plastics • a minimum of two redistribution/deformation processes suitable for woods

Aids to Production Prototyping, modelling, use of jigs, templates, CAM and CIM

Systems and Control Application of Control Systems - The matching of control systems to specific industrial applications – consideration of mechanical, electrical, electronic, programmable logic units and microcontrollers. Input/Output Devices - Matching the method of input/output to the application Selection of appropriate input/output transducers for specific applications

Basic Principles • force • motion • movement • velocity • pressure • voltage • current • resistance • power • signals • positive and negative going pulses • positive and negative edge triggering • mark/Space ratio • amplitude • frequency

Open and Closed loop control - Application, merits and features of each

Logic - Combination logic GATES to produce parallel networks – limited to 4BIT input

Tribology - Useful and non-useful friction – methods of reducing friction, e.g. clutches, braking systems, bearings, lubricants

System Diagrams - Input → Process → Output → Feedback

System Definitions: definition of a system, system boundaries, sub-systems, system components

System Building Blocks • sensors • input transducers • signal conditioners • timers • amplifiers • comparators • counters • latches • flip flops • logical operators • output transducers • programmable devices

Interfacing System Blocks The selection of suitable interfaces to establish connections in electrical, electronic and mechanical systems. e.g. motors, solenoid valves, relays, amplifiers

Transmission: Signal – electricity – heat – motion

The amplification of: force, motion, movement, velocity, pressure, voltage, current, power, signal

Information Technology The purpose of a program – a logical set of instructions

Data Manipulation - Information, storage, retrieval and manipulation of data so it can be interrogated, modified and presented