Lesson video

Hello there.

My name is Mrs. Dhami.

Thank you for joining me for your design and technology lesson today.

Now, the big question for today is, how are paper and boards joined? Now, I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised at how many of these you already know and that you use quite commonly.

So hard hats on.

Let's get cracking.

Our outcome for today is, we will be able to explain various mechanical and chemical methods to join different materials.

We have three keywords today.

Mechanical fixings, which is a part that holds materials together using force.

Chemical joining, which is when we use adhesives or heat to bond materials through a chemical reaction.

And lastly, component, which is a ready-made part used across different products to make manufacturing easier.

We have two learning cycles today, mechanical fixings, and then chemical joining.

So let's get started on mechanical fixings.

Mechanical fixings are a way of holding materials together using physical means like fasteners or shaped joints.

Mechanical fixings often use force or shape to hold materials in place.

They are common in paper and boards construction and product assembly.

They can be permanent or removable, and are usually components.

Now, components is one of our keywords today, and a component is a ready-made part used across different products to make manufacturing easier.

Time for a quick check-in.

Which of the following is a mechanical fixing, A, PVA adhesive, B, epoxy resin, C, screw, or D, contact adhesive? Have a think.

Come back to me when you've got an answer.

Well done if you've got C.

A screw is a type of mechanical fixing.

Split pins, which are sometimes called paper fasteners, are components you use to join papers or boards by inserting the pin through a hole and splaying the two metal legs to secure the materials.

They allow for a rotation of joint pieces, making them useful for interactive products.

So let's take a little look.

At the top, we have some brass split pins.

And in the diagram, you can see those two legs that get splayed, so that it secures the material in place.

And the bottom dinosaur, you can see that that has been used to create an interactive product, so that the arms and the tail and the legs can move and rotate, which allows a small child to interact with them.

So uses, they are used for securing two or more parts together.

The benefit is, it allows, as we've said, for rotation.

Limitation is, it's not suitable for high strength.

Paper staples, as shown in the picture on the right, are small metal fasteners used to join sheets of paper by piercing and folding the ends to hold them together.

Have a little look at that bottom right picture.

You can see the inside of an exercise book there, and those ends have been folded down, which joins them together.

So paper staples require a stapler and are commonly used in offices, schools, and homes for organizing documents.

So uses are things such as exercise books.

Benefits are, it's a very quick process.

However, the limitations are that it can only bind a limited number of sheets at once.

I think we've all tried, haven't we, that one massive papers, where we've tried to get the stapler through, and realized it doesn't work.

So it is limited to number of sheets.

Cardboard staples are very similar to paper staples, but they are heavy-duty ones.

So they are heavy-duty metal fasteners, which are used to securely bind layers of cardboard or thick board materials.

And we often see them in packaging and box assembly.

They are ideal for applications where glue or tape may not be sufficient, but it does create challenges when they come for recycling.

And you can see an example in the picture on the right of some copper cardboard heavy-duty staples.

So the use is for heavy-duty packaging.

The benefit is, they are strong and durable.

The limitation, though, is they're difficult to remove when recycling the cardboard.

Time for a quick check-in.

Why are cardboard staples used in packaging? Is it A, when the product is heavy in weight, B, glue or tape may not be sufficient, C, to make recycling the cardboard easier, or D, to show where the parts are joined? Have a think, perhaps chat to the person next to you, perhaps tell me, and come back to me when you've got an answer.

Well done if you got A and B.

Cardboard staples used in packaging are great when the product is heavy in weight and when glue or tape may not be sufficient.

Paperclips come in various shapes and colors, and materials, such as the common wire paperclip, and you can see that on the right there.

I don't know if you know this, but in France, they actually call them trombones because of their shape.

What a great thing.

I love that fact.

They've also such a timeless design.

They have been around, and the design has remained very much unchanged for over a hundred years.

I didn't know this, but they're actually sometimes known as gem clips.

Perhaps you call them gem clips yourselves.

Then we also have binder clips, and that's like the green one on the right.

They are like metal clamps for larger stacks of paper.

So a wire paperclip is ideal for a few sheets, while a binder clip can hold up to a hundred pages securely.

So the use, it is for holding sheets together.

The benefit is that they are removable, can easily be added on, can easily be taken off, can easily add extra pages in.

The limitation is, the amount of sheets determines the clip required.

Cardboard folding tabs and slots are interlocking design features that allow pieces of cardboard to be joined without glue or components.

And I'm sure you've probably come across lots of these.

The tabs are inserted into pre-cut slots to create secure, foldable, or three-dimensional structures, which is often used in packaging, but also in displays too.

So the use is packaging and displays.

The benefits, they are easy to open, but also to close.

Limitation, though, if they're used too frequently or too often, they can sometimes get damaged quite easily.

There are many different types of tabs and slots, each designed for specific functions in cardboard construction.

Examples can include straight tabs and rectangular slots for simple, secure connections.

We then have locking tabs, which have a little hook or a little notch that locks into place for added strength, especially those things that you don't want to be opened easily.

We then have tuck tabs, often used in packaging, where the tab folds into a slit to close a box.

And lastly, we have push-fit tabs, which are designed to snap into slots for easy assembly and disassembly.

And a lovely example of that is the egg carton, where the lid snaps into the base, so that the lid doesn't easily open and the eggs fall out.

What a lovely design.

Time for a quick check-in.

I would like you to match the image of the mechanical fixing to its label.

So we have A, staple, B, split pin, C, wire paperclip, and D, tab and slot.

Have a go at matching them up.

Okay, let's draw us back together.

Hopefully, for A, you matched it with image three for the staple.

B, the split pin, hopefully, you matched it with number four.

C, the wire paperclip, hopefully, you matched it with number one.

And lastly, tab and slot, hopefully, you match that with number two.

Well done with all your efforts.

Using tabs and slots to make cardboard prototypes is a practical and efficient method for constructing 3D models without glue or additional components.

The interlocking system allows pieces to be easily assembled, adjusted, or taken apart.

And you can see these two images.

These are some lovely examples of cardboard prototypes using tabs and slots.

In fact, the one on the left is one of my students.

He was designing a new seating system, so he chose to laser-cut these parts and put them together using tabs and slots.

Binding is the process of securely joining or fastening pages, cards, or materials together to form a single unit, such as a book, a booklet, or a presentation.

Examples can include spiral binding.

This is where a plastic or metal coil is threaded through punched holes along the edge of the paper.

It's great because it's really durable, and you can open it up without too much worry of it coming apart.

Adhesive binding, this is when pages are glued at the spine, often with a soft cover, and it's often used in paperback books and pads.

I'm sure you've probably seen that before.

We then have sewn binding.

Pages are sewn together with thread, offering durability and flexibility.

Now, this is more common in high-end books and journals, the posh ones.

Each technique is chosen based on the purpose, thickness, and desired appearance of the finished product.

So here's a notepad joined using spiral binding.

I bet you've all had one of those at some point throughout your life.

We then have an example of adhesive binding.

Here's a revision card pack using adhesive binding.

And lastly, this is a notepad example that has used sewn binding and twine to make a really strong drawable joint that often looks really rather pretty.

Onto task A.

Part one, I'd like you to describe the difference between a staple and a paperclip when joining papers.

Part two, I'd like you to name one type of binding and explain its purpose.

Part three, I'd like you to explain why tabs and slots are used for packaging products, and name an example of a tab.

And part four, I'd like you to choose one type of mechanical fixing for paper and boards, and give one benefit and one limitation.

I look forward to hearing your wonderful answers.

Come back to me, and you've got some great ones.

Part one, I asked you to describe the difference between a staple and a paperclip when joining papers.

You might have said, "A staple pierces through the papers and bends inward to permanently hold them together, providing a secure and fixed join.

In contrast, a paperclip slides onto the papers without piercing them, allowing for a temporary and easily removable hold." Part two, I asked you to name one type of binding and explain its purpose.

You might have chosen spiral binding.

Spiral binding is a type of binding where a plastic or metal coil is threaded through holes along the edge of the papers.

Its purpose is to allow the document to lie flat when open and enable pages to turn 360 degrees, making it ideal for notebooks, manuals, and presentations.

Part three, I asked you to explain why tabs and slots are used for packaging products, and name an example of a tab.

You might have said, "Tabs and slots are used for packaging products because they allow for easy, glue-free assembly, create secure closures, and can be designed for quick folding and flat packing.

An example of a tab is a tuck tab, which is inserted into a slot to close the lid of a box securely." Part four, I asked you to choose one type of mechanical fixing for paper and boards, and give one benefit and one limitation.

You might have chosen split pins.

Split pins are a type of mechanical fixing for paper and boards.

A benefit is, they allow components to rotate.

A limitation is, they can be fiddly to insert and are not suitable for high-strength joints.

Well done with all of your hard work in learning cycle one.

Onto learning cycle two, chemical joining.

Chemical joining is the process of bonding materials using substances, otherwise known as adhesives, that create a chemical reaction to hold parts together.

Chemical joining is often invisible and used for clean finishes.

It's often dependent on material compatibility, and it's not easily reversible.

Let's explore a few together.

Quick check-in before we explore a few.

What makes chemical joining different from mechanical fixings? Is it A, it's always weaker, B, it uses force, C, it requires bolts, or D, it involves a reaction to bond materials? Have a think.

Come back to me when you've got an answer.

Well done if you managed to get D.

What makes chemical joining different from mechanical fixings is that it involves a reaction to bond materials.

Using tapes to join materials is a quick and easy method that involves applying adhesive tape to bond surfaces together.

It's especially useful for lightweight materials.

And there's a full range of them that you can buy.

So if we start on the left, we have clear adhesive and parcel tape.

We then have masking tape, which sometimes you use when you want to be able to take it off, be able to remove it.

We quite often use it, don't we, in design and technology to put together our pieces that we've been working on, so that we can return to them in the next lesson.

We then have double-sided tape when you don't want to be able to see any tape, you want to hide it.

And lastly, we have duct tape, which has a lot more strength and a lot more durability, but it is obviously a lot thicker.

So use, we use tapes for joining lightweight papers and boards together.

A benefit is that it is an instant bond, but the limitation is that it can quite often lose adhesion and come away.

PVA, which I'm sure you have used for years and years, actually stands for polyvinyl acetate.

Now, PVA has a wide range of applications for timber-based products, like papers and boards, and many types of timbers.

PVA adhesive chemically joins by soaking into porous materials, like paper or boards, and forming a strong bond as the water evaporates, leaving behind a flexible plastic film that holds the surfaces together.

And it's making me laugh, that flexible plastic film, the amount of students that I have seen over the years who've put it on their hands, waited for it to dry, and then peeled it off.

I bet you've had a go yourselves too.

So a use, we use it for joining paper- and board-based materials.

Benefit, it's non-toxic, and it dries clear.

Limitation is, it's not waterproof unless you're using a modified version of it.

Time for a quick check-in.

Why is PVA adhesive beneficial for papers and boards? Is it A, it dries clear, B, it washes off easily, C, it's non-toxic, or D, it dries instantly? Have a think, apply what we've just learned, and come back to me when you've got an answer.

Well done if you've got A and C.

PVA adhesive is beneficial for papers and boards because it dries clear and it's also non-toxic.

A glue stick is a solid adhesive in a twist or push-up tube, commonly used for bonding paper card and other lightweight materials.

So its use is for bonding paper.

Benefit is, it is easy to apply and dries quickly.

Limitation is, it's often a weak bond, and the tube dries out if it is not used.

I've just started a new term, gone to get the glue sticks out, and a load of them have all dried up.

What a pain.

Spray adhesive is a type of glue applied as a fine mist from an aerosol can, and it's used to bond a large surface like paper, cardboard, fabric, or foam.

So as I've just said, it's for large surfaces of paper and boards.

The benefit is, you can get it really nice and even, but it's also really quick to dry.

The limitation is, it can be messy if you get it elsewhere, and you can find other surfaces then become very sticky if you've accidentally got a bit somewhere else.

And it does produce fumes, so you have to use it in a well-ventilated area or somewhere with extraction.

A hot glue gun is a tool that melts solid glue sticks and dispenses hot adhesive for chemically joining various materials, like cardboard, fabric, plastic, and wood.

The use, it's for joining various materials, like I've just said.

The benefit is, it is quick setting, and it can provide a very good amount of strength, especially for prototyping.

Limitation, though, is, it can be messy if you get it elsewhere or put too much on, and there is a chance of burns.

It's extremely hot, so you need to be very, very careful.

Time for a quick check-in.

Which chemical joining process uses heat to melt the adhesive before application? Is it A, tape, B, spray adhesive, C, hot glue gun, or D, PVA? Have a think.

Come back to me when you've got an answer.

Well done if you've got C, as hot glue gun.

So it uses heat to melt the adhesive before application.

Different adhesives suit different applications, depending on strength, setting time, and environment.

Considerations need to include the material type, papers or boards, the strength required, the type of use, and the drying or curing time, that being the setting time.

Onto task B.

Part one, I'd like you to compare the use of tape and PVA when joining paper and boards, give one advantage of each.

Part two, a designer is wanting to bond a large piece of fabric to a large piece of corrugated cardboard.

Which chemical joining process is most suitable for this task? Please explain your answer.

And lastly, part three, explain why a hot glue gun is a suitable chemical joining process when making prototypes.

Good luck.

Apply all that wonderful knowledge, and come back to me when you've got some great answers.

Part one, I asked you to compare the use of tape and PVA when joining paper and boards, giving one advantage of each.

So you might have said, "When joining paper and boards, tape is quick and easy to apply.

It provides an instant bond, with no drying time.

PVA, which stands for polyvinyl acetate, glue forms a strong, durable bond when dry.

It creates a cleaner, more permanent joint suitable for durable work.

Each has its use, depending on whether speed or strength is more important." Part two, a designer is wanting to bond a large piece of fabric to a large piece of corrugated cardboard.

Which chemical joining process is most suitable for this task? Explain your answer.

You might have said, "The most suitable chemical joining process for bonding a large piece of fabric to corrugated cardboard is spray adhesive.

Spray adhesive is ideal for covering large surface areas quickly and evenly.

It provides even coverage without soaking the materials.

A strong, flexible bond suitable for porous surfaces, like fabric and cardboard.

This makes it well-suited for lightweight materials and large applications, where other glues, like PVA, might be too wet or too messy." Part three, I asked you to explain why a hot glue gun is a suitable chemical joining process when making prototypes.

You might have said, "A hot glue gun is suitable for making prototypes because it provides a quick and strong bond that sets almost instantly, allowing fast assembly and adjustments.

It works well on a variety of materials, like card, foam, and fabric, making it ideal for design models.

Its ease of use and minimal drying time helps speed up the prototyping process, but it can be messy and can cause burns." This brings us to the end of our lesson today.

Let's summarize what we have found out.

Materials can be joined using mechanical fixings or components.

Materials can be joined using substances, such as adhesives, that create chemical bonds between surfaces.

Mechanical fixings for paper and boards can include split pins, staples, clips, and tabs and slots.

And lastly, chemical joining can be a variety of adhesives, including tapes, PVA, and hot glue.

Well done with all of your hard work today.

I hope you've enjoyed the lesson.

And I look forward to seeing you in another lesson soon.

Take good care.

Bye-bye-bye.