AQA GCSE Design and Technology key terms

Circular movement around a fixed axis or centre point.

Removing material from timber or manufactured board using a high-speed rotating cutter to produce features such as grooves, rebates, profiles or cut-outs.

A channel that carries molten metal towards a mould cavity.

The corrosion of iron in the presence of both water and oxygen, forming rust.

Protecting a metal by using a more reactive metal that corrodes in preference to it.

Workplace arrangements that protect employees from injury and from harm to their health, both immediately and over time.

The ratio of a length on a drawing or model to the corresponding actual length, using the same units.

The quantity of a product manufactured and the way production is organised to make that quantity.

A diagram using symbols and connections to show how components in a system are connected, rather than their realistic appearance or physical positions.

Making a controlled line or impression in card to prepare it for folding, without cutting right through it.

A line of stitching that joins pieces of fabric together.

Extra fabric between a stitching line and the cut edge, provided so that pieces can be joined.

Controlled drying of timber to reduce its moisture content before use.

Existing information collected by others, such as published body measurements, product reviews or manufacturers' data.

Research using information already collected by others, such as books, catalogues, product reviews or published technical data.

A component that detects a physical condition, such as light, temperature or force, and produces an electrical change that a circuit can use.

The initial expenditure needed to prepare production, such as buying machinery and making printing plates or cutting dies.

Joining or decorating textile material by making stitches with a needle and thread, by hand or machine.

A metallic material that can return to a previously set shape when heated after being deformed.

An action in which opposing forces tend to make neighbouring parts of a material slide past each other.

The opening between raised and lowered warp yarns through which a weft yarn passes during weaving.

The length of time a product can be stored before its condition or performance becomes unsuitable. For batteries, this includes retaining enough stored energy to remain useful.

The International System of Units, which provides standard units for measurement, including the metre for length.

A building that uses connected sensing and control systems to manage functions such as lighting, heating, ventilation and security.

A material with one or more properties that can change significantly in a controlled way in response to an external stimulus.

A difficulty affecting people, such as exploitation, unsafe working conditions or harm to local communities.

The effects of a material, product or process on people, including workers, users and local communities.