Lesson video

Hello, thank you for joining me for your design technology lesson.

My name is Mrs. Conway and I will be guiding you through your learning today.

So today's outcome is, I can identify standardised components and can explain the benefits of using them in a design.

And our key keywords are standardised components, mass production and knock down fittings.

I'll go through each one of these in more detail as we work through the lesson.

So first of all then, we're going to look at the benefits of standardised components.

So components are used to join materials, but they can also be used to help strengthen structures or add an element of functionality to the product as well.

So this is an example here of a woodscrew.

Now woodscrew is a really typical example of a component and that is the type of component that could be used with a timber based product.

Now standardised components are basically components that are produced in a set size for a range of uses.

Let's just do a quick check for understanding on that.

What is a standardised component? Is it A, a unique part made for one specific product, B, components produced in a set size for a range of uses or C, components that change size depending on the product? Pause the video here just take a moment to think about your answer.

How did you get on? The correct answer was B.

So standardised components are components produced in a set size for a range of uses.

Well done if you got that right.

Now, using standardised components has the following benefits: cost efficiency, compatibility, faster assembly, and easier repairs.

If we take each one of those in turn, then look at it in a little bit more detail.

So first we'll look at cost efficiency.

Now standardised components can be mass produced and that really helps to keep the cost of manufacturing down.

It also means that they are a lower cost compared to bespoke components for example.

Just to remind you, mass production is the process of making large quantities of identical products quickly and efficiently.

And as standardised components are made in a set size, these can be pre-produced really efficiently using mass production and that keeps that cost down and makes them more cost efficient.

Okay, let's do a quick check for understanding on that then.

Why is the ability to mass produce components beneficial? A, it keeps the cost of manufacturing lower.

B, it makes each component more expensive to produce.

Or C, it slows down the manufacturing process.

Pause the video here just to take a moment to think about your answer.

And the correct answer, it was A, so the ability to mass produce components is beneficial because it keeps the cost of manufacturing lower.

Well then again if you got that right.

Next, let's look at compatibility.

So because they're made to a set size, this ensures that they are compatible with a range of products.

Another benefit was faster assembly.

Now they can speed up designing and prototyping as custom solutions are not needed.

That's another benefit.

The assembly of products can be quicker because those standardised components always fit in the same way, so there's less fixing and less guessing.

I also mentioned easier repairs as well, and they make repairs easier due to replacement parts being easy to find and then they fit perfectly so there's no worrying that they're not going to fit.

Now that means less time and effort is needed to fix or maintain a product.

And as we know, time is money, so that's also a benefit.

Now Alex is asking a question here, "Is it lazy to use standardised components when I'm designing? Should I not design my own?" And that might be a question you might have sometimes.

Now Laura's actually answered this for Alex.

"So standardised components can actually improve designs by allowing designers to focus on innovation and functionality whilst reducing production costs and time." So the answer is no, not really.

You don't have to come up with your own components when you're designing, you can use those standardised components that already exist and actually just focus on the innovation and the idea behind your product instead.

Okay, over to you to have a go then.

I'd like you to explain why standardised components would be beneficial in the making of the two products below.

So you've got the example of a pair of jeans and a flat pack bookshelf.

Now you'll want to refer to the products whilst explaining your answers.

Pause the video here to have a go at this task and good luck.

How did you get on? Now your answers could have included the following: so Izzy's had a go at answering for the pair of jeans and she said, "Using standard buttons and zippers makes making jeans quicker and cheaper as the parts can be mass produced.

The same size parts fit well and can be easily replaced if broken.

This helps make lots of jeans at a lower cost whilst maintaining good quality." Just compare your answer to Izzy's.

Have you missed anything? Have you've got slightly different answers? Have little look and see if you've got anything extra as well that you might have added.

You might wanna compare your answer to the person next to you.

Now Jun has also had a go and he's had a go at answering in regards to the bookshelf and he said, "Standardised components such as screws and knock down fittings make a flat pack bookshelf easy to put together.

The parts fit properly, so there are fewer mistakes.

If any screws or fixings are lost, then they're easy to replace." Again, compare your answer to Jun, have you missed anything? Is there anything that you've thought of that he hasn't? And again, you can always compare it to the person next to you as well and see if you've missed anything or if they've got something you haven't.

Okay, next we're gonna look at examples of standardised components.

So there are standardised components available depending on what material you are using.

And choosing the right standardised components for the material is important.

Different materials have unique properties such as strength, weight, resistance to heat or corrosion.

Also cost, which affect how well they work with standardised components.

So for example, metal components are often used for strength and durability whilst plastic components may be chosen for their lightweight nature or corrosion resistant applications as well.

So you have to think really carefully when you're picking what standardised components are going to be the right components for your product.

So let's look at timber then.

A typical standardised component would be a woodscrew which is used to join two pieces of timber together or another material to a piece of timber.

And you can see the example there of a woodscrew.

Now they come in a range of standard sizes which you may have seen in your workshop or classroom.

And the head shape also depends on their uses as well.

And the head is the bit that you can see there that's got a cross in it.

Not all heads have the cross in it.

Sometimes they have different shapes depending on the type of woodscrew.

Now however, all of these woodscrews can still be used with standard tools and that makes them standardised components.

Now knock down fittings is another example of a standardised component and these are often supplied with flat pack furniture and can be easily disassembled with a few basic tools such as screwdrivers and Allen keys.

And you may have seen some of these whilst maybe helping your parents put together some flat pack furniture at home, you may have actually come across them.

Or you can have a little nosy around your house and see if you can spot any of these as well.

An example here you can see is a corner block and also I've given you example of a cam lock.

Now Sofia's actually commented on this.

"So I've seen some of these in our wardrobes at home and I've used them on helping to assemble flat pack furniture." So she has seen some of these.

The more modern one is the cam lock and that's the one you might be a little bit more familiar with and see a little bit more often around your home if you have got any flat pack pieces of furniture that have been built.

Right, time for you to just have a little check for understanding on standardised components examples so far.

I'd like you to identify the following timber standardised components.

So I'd like you to name which one is the woodscrew, which one is the camlock and which one is the corner block.

Pause the video here to have a quick go at this task.

Okay, how did you get on? These are the correct answers.

So the first one was the corner block, the one in the middle was the woodscrew and the last one was the cam lock.

Right, let's look at some standardised components for papers and boards then.

So split pins are a typical example and this is a brass split pin, also sometimes called a paper fastener.

It's basically a small metal pin with two legs that can be spread apart to hold papers and boards together.

And they're sometimes used instead of staples to join materials as they allow for the materials to rotate around the split pin if needed.

Another example of a standardised component for papers and boards is a staple.

And a staple is a small metal fastener with two sharp legs that bend to hold papers and boards together.

You're probably very familiar with staples and use them lots, however this is another example of a standardised component.

Now they're considered a permanent method of joining papers, especially if you compare them to something like a split pin as removing the staple does damage the paper.

Staples can also be used to join timbers and upholstery, but those are specific types of staples that are needed for that.

So not the same type that are used for papers and boards.

Let's look at textiles then.

So a zip is another standardised component.

Now a zip is a fastener that joins two pieces of fabric using small teeth and a sliding pool.

It's used on clothes, bags and other items to open and close them easily.

And again, you should be really familiar with a zip.

You've probably used them lots in your day-to-day life but not really been aware that they are considered as a standardised component.

Now zips come in a wide range of lengths as well as types such as closed end, open end, invisible or jean.

Another example of a standardised component for textiles then is thread.

So thread is used to sew materials together.

It can be used when sewing by hand, using a sewing machine, an overlocker or CNC machines.

Threads come in a range of different colours and lengths and are typically made from polyester, cotton, or sometimes you can get silk thread as well.

Let's just do a quick check for understanding on the examples we've just gone through.

So what standardised component would be most suitable to permanently hold multiple pieces of paper together? Is it A, a corner block, B, a split pin, C thread, or D staple? Pause the video here just to take a moment to think about your answer.

And the correct answer was D, a staple.

Well done if you got that right.

Okay, next let's have a look at metals.

So a nut and bolt is example of a standardised component used with metals.

A nut and bolt holds two materials together through pre-drilled holes in both of the materials that are joined together.

The bolt is passed through the holes and then the nut is screwed onto the bolt to secure it.

So you can see the bolt is the long one in the picture and the nut is the bit that kind of screws onto it afterwards, the kind of shorter stubbier one.

Now most bolts and nuts are actually made so that they can be tightened with a spanner.

Now you can see that it's got like a hexagonal shaped head to it.

Now that means that that spanner can actually adhere to that quite nicely and it can be tightened.

Another example of a standardised component for metals would be a rivet.

Now a rivet also holds metal together and is passed through a pre-drilled holes just like a nut and bolt.

The head of the rivet is pushed up against the one side of the sheet metal whilst the other is then hammered over to hold the two pieces of metal together.

And that is a permanent joining method unlike the nut and bolt.

Now there are a range of different types of rivets such as pop rivets, countersunk rivets, flathead rivets, but they all have different uses and if you're really interested in rivets you could go away and have another little look and find out what these different types of rivets do and are used for.

And lastly then let's look at polymers.

Now most standardised components used for metals can also be used with polymers.

However, there are a range of similar standardised components that are now made in polymers.

So for example, things such as nuts and bolts, screws and hinges can all be made out of polymer.

Most of them are made out of nylon just like in the example in the picture.

Right, time for you to have a go at a task.

I've got three parts of this task for you.

So the first one is a question, what standardised components would you recommend using when making a winter coat such as the one below? So I'd like you to suggest to me what standardised components you would recommend using.

But the second part of this then is also explain why you would recommend using these.

The why is always really important.

The second part of this task then is what other possible standardised components could be used as alternatives to the ones you suggested.

And the last part of the task then, for a product of your choice that uses standardised components using either sketches or images, identify the components and explain why the manufacturer use them in the products construction.

Okay, pause the video here to have a go at these three tasks and good luck.

Okay, how did you get on? So Lucas has had a go at answering the first question here.

Now remember there were two parts to that first question.

I wanted you to give the recommendations but also the whys as well.

So Lucas has said, "The winter coat could be made using a standard zip." So there is example of his standardised component.

"This will enable the coat to be easily repaired if the zip was to break and also allows for lower cost manufacturing as the coat and zip could be mass produced." So he's given his why as well as his actual suggestion of the standardised component.

He goes on to say, "I would also recommend using thread." So another example there and using that thread, "to sew it together as the thread can be easily purchased for use and using standardised thread ensures consistency in manufacture." Now this is just an example of what you could have included.

So compare your answer to his, and again, you might have slightly different things, but just check have you given that why, that reason as to why that would be a really good example of a standardised component for that winter coat.

The second question then was to name some other alternatives.

So Lucas has also said, "The coat could be made using other standardised components such as buttons or press studs instead of the zip." So there's just a different option there instead of the zip that he's given.

And the last example then.

The last question was to pick a product of your choice.

So I've given you example here of a piece of flat pack furniture.

Now the product is assembled using machine screws and these are standardised for easy assembly at home using simple tools.

Parts are pre-drill to the correct size that fit the components and the standardised components are bought in bulk by the manufacturers to keep the cost of manufacturing low.

They are made outta steel for strength and durability.

Now, obviously you are gonna have completely different answers to this one because you have picked any product of your choice.

But again, compare your answer and your considerations to this one.

Do you think you've got enough detail in there? Did you really consider those standardised components and why they've actually been used there? Well done for completing those three tasks.

Okay, so let's summarise the lesson.

We've been looking today at standardised components.

Now standardised components are components that are produced in a set size for a range of uses.

And there are many benefits to using standardised components such as being more cost efficient due to the products being able to be mass produced.

And there are different standardised components that are used depending on what material the product is being made out of and what type of join is needed.

And that's for you, the designer, to try and work out which standardised components are the right ones for the materials that you are using.

Okay, well done for all your hard work on the lesson today.

Thank you for joining me and I will see you soon.