Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology key terms

The likelihood that a hazard will cause harm and the seriousness of that harm.

The process of identifying hazards, assessing their risks and deciding how to control those risks.

A fastener whose end is deformed during assembly to secure components permanently.

A mechanical joining process in which a rivet is deformed to hold components together permanently.

A solid length of metal with a round, square or hexagonal cross-section.

Turning movement around an axis.

The number of complete turns made per unit time, commonly measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).

Timber supplied with the relatively rough surface left by sawing.

The quantity of products manufactured, ranging from individual one-off products to very large quantities.

A plan showing when project tasks should happen and how long they are expected to take.

A diagram using symbols to represent components and show their connections.

Creating a controlled line in paper or card to help it fold accurately, without cutting completely through it.

A threaded fastener that engages with a thread in the material or a receiving component.

A surface treatment that reduces absorption into timber or board, helping control moisture uptake or prepare it for further coatings.

A join made by stitching two or more pieces of fabric together.

The distance between the seam line and the cut edge of the fabric.

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

Existing information collected by someone else, such as published research, product details or reference tables.

The dimension of a component’s cross-section in the direction relevant to bending.

A property of a moulded plastic whose surface needs no further finishing after forming.

A plastic whose surface needs no further finishing once it has been formed into its intended shape in a mould.

A plastic whose moulded surface needs no further surface finishing after forming.

The finished lengthwise edge of woven fabric, used as a reference when aligning the straight grain.

A material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator, whose conductivity can be controlled. It is used to make components such as transistors and integrated circuits.

An input component that responds to a physical condition, such as light or temperature, by changing an electrical property or signal.

A separation in timber along growth rings or outwards from the centre, originating in the tree or during felling.

A metal alloy that can return to a predetermined shape when heated after being deformed.