Context :
The new specifications for short courses in ‘Candidates are required to produce a prototype product that can be marketed. The underlying influence on the project should be that the product will be the first of a batch of 50, realised in school/college with the facilities that are available. The candidate will realise the first prototype of this product. The evidence to be submitted for assessment must include a 3 dimensional product with a concise portfolio (including evidence of modelling) and/or appropriate ICT evidence.’
The following requirement is typical: GCSE Design and Technology focus strongly on the processes of designing and making. They allow students to build on the skills and knowledge that they acquired following the KS3 Design and Technology strategy by designing and making a small scale, quality product.
Assignment:
‘MP3 players are very popular and are ideally suited for individual listening. Sometimes however it is useful to amplify sound so that the device can be listened to without the restriction of headphones or a small group of people can listen to it together.’ The above is a typical context taken from a GCSE Short Course specification.
| Your task is to design and manufacture a prototype product in response to this context that incorporates the given amplifier circuit. CAD/CAM is to be used extensively in the development of your prototype. This will be a corporate 'freebie' used to promote one of the following new ventures: an energy sports drink the movie launch of Tron Legacy - a sequel to Tron made in 1982 | a high speed commuter rail network a web based information service for the 2012 Olympics |
Submission:
As evidence of your developing capability in CAD/CAM you are required to produce……
1. a personal development ‘blog’ that highlights your ongoing professional development in this area. (see http://mp3ampfolio.blogspot.com/)
how your chosen concept has been developed and enhanced by the use of CAD software;
how the product concept is taken through to manufacture using CAM;
2. A visually dynamic practical outcome, demonstrating the effective use of CAM
a critical evaluation in which you have reflected on the effectiveness of the final outcome. Ongoing decision making must be clearly justified through critical analysis and comment (supported by appropriate referencing) The blog should be a selective presentation including evidence of initial research and specification how you have integrated other design activities (eg.sketching / modelling) with CAD in refining and developing your initial ideas;
