Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology key terms

An electronic component whose leads pass through holes in a printed circuit board and are soldered to the board.

A component-mounting method in which leads pass through holes in a printed circuit board and are soldered to pads on the opposite side.

A method of mounting components by passing their leads through drilled holes in a PCB and soldering them to copper pads.

A structural member that resists a pulling force, or tension, and helps hold a frame in shape.

Wood used as a material, for example to make furniture, buildings or models.

A connection between timber components that holds them in the required position.

The time available to complete activities such as design, development, testing and manufacture.

The permitted variation from a specified measurement, defining the acceptable minimum and maximum.

Production equipment used to shape or make products, such as moulds and dies.

The cost of making or purchasing production tools, such as the mould used to shape a polymer product.

The programmed route followed by a cutting tool during manufacture.

The slight grain or roughness of a drawing surface that helps it hold pencil marks.

Visible stitching worked from the outside of a textile product, which can secure layers or folded seam allowances and contribute to its appearance.

The turning effect of a force on a rotating shaft, measured in newton metres (N m).

A twisting action caused by opposing turning effects on a component.

The resistance of a single resistor that would have the same overall effect as a combination of resistors.

A material’s ability to absorb an impact without breaking or cracking.

The ability of a substance to harm living organisms.

Translucent paper that allows an underlying drawing to be seen and traced.

A compromise in which gaining one benefit means accepting a limitation elsewhere, such as greater performance at a higher cost.

A semiconductor component that can act as an electronic switch or amplifier. In a bipolar transistor, a small base current controls a larger collector current.

Allowing light through, but scattering it so that objects behind the material are not seen clearly.

The extent to which a material allows light to pass through so that objects or markings behind it can be seen.

See-through; a transparent finish allows the timber grain beneath it to remain visible.

A direction of change in people's preferences or behaviour, which can influence demand for particular products and materials.

Predicting future demand for products and materials by studying current trends.

Strengthening a framework by forming triangles, which resist changes of shape.