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      Specialist techniques and processes for manufacture: saving space

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can manufacture safely using equipment and machinery

      Key learning points

      1. Manufacturing products can be done with the help of hand tools or power tools and machinery.
      2. Power tools are usually handheld and portable.
      3. Machinery is often fixed in place, and used for bigger or more complex jobs.
      4. Power tools and machinery are used for speed and consistency.
      5. When using power tools and machinery, the appropriate PPE should be worn.

      Keywords

      • Manufacture - the process of making products from raw materials using machines or labour

      • Power tools - handheld or portable tools that use electricity or batteries to work

      • Machinery - fixed-in-place equipment or tools, powered by energy, that help make products

      • PPE - Personal Protective Equipment is worn for protection from injury when using tools and machinery

      • Timber - wood cut from trees to use in manufacturing

      Common misconception

      Using machinery to manufacture requires little skill when compared to using hand tools.

      Using machinery to manufacture products takes skill and effort to achieve a high quaility finish, much like using hand tools.

      Teacher tip

      Allow pupils to experience and use some of the power hand tools that they may not have used in KS3.

      Equipment

      Examples of power tools and machinery.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Manufacturing is the process of making products from __________ materials using machines or labour.

      complete
      simple
      Correct answer: raw

      Q2.
      What is a 3D printed prototype an example of?

      Correct answer: one-off manufacture
      batch manufacture
      mass manufacture

      Q3.
      When the same product is made in large numbers quickly and efficiently, usually using machines and production lines, this is called?

      Correct Answer: mass production, mass manufacture, mass manufacturing

      Q4.
      Which of these are benefits to one-off manufacture?

      Correct answer: products are tailored to individual user needs
      fast and efficient for large-scale production
      low unit cost per product
      Correct answer: high-quality craftsmanship

      Q5.
      How would this product be manufactured?

      An image in a quiz
      one-off production
      batch production
      Correct answer: mass production

      Q6.
      Which hand tool is shown in the image?

      An image in a quiz
      mitre saw
      coping saw
      Correct answer: tenon saw
      band saw
      circular saw

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Which tools are usually handheld and portable and powered by batteries or electricity?

      hand tools
      Correct answer: power tools
      machinery

      Q2.
      Power tools and machinery work much __________ than people.

      energetically
      Correct answer: faster
      safely
      slower

      Q3.
      Which machine has a fine blade that moves up and down (reciprocating) quickly?

      Correct Answer: fret saw, fret saw, scroll saw, hegner saw

      Q4.
      Which machine rotates material, while cutting/shaping tools (chisels) remove excess material to shape it?

      mitre saw
      belt sander
      Correct answer: wood lathe

      To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Specialist techniques and processes for manufacture: saving space, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...