Specialist tools and equipment for manufacture: communal areas
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can manufacture safely using a laser cutter.
Key learning points
- A laser cutter uses a high-powered laser beam to precisely cut or engrave materials.
- A laser cutter works by directing a powerful laser beam through mirrors or fibre optics to a lens.
- To make 3D prototypes using CAD on a laser cutter, designers need to consider how to turn a 3D design into 2D shapes.
Keywords
Self finishing - the material does not need additional finishing processes after it has been produced
Laser cutter - a machine that uses a focused laser beam to cut or etch designs into various materials
Nesting - the process of positioning items on sheet material efficiently to minimise waste
Common misconception
Laser cutting is about cutting out simple shapes and only really works for 2D products and designs.
Laser cutters can be used to develop and manufacture effective and complex 3D products in conjunction with additional processes.
Teacher tip
Demonstrate how to transfer digital designs to your specific laser cutter.
Equipment
CAD application and laser cutter with suitable sheet material.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a 3D printer is an example of?
Q2.What are the axes which a 3D printer moves direction in?
Q3.3D printing is an example of which type of process?
Q4.The process of converting a digital design into G code for 3D printing is called .
Q5.What are some advantages of using CAM when manufacturing?
Q6.What is it called when a design is modified or developed?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A laser cutter uses a high-powered laser beam to precisely cut or materials like board, timber, metal, some polymers, and fabric.
Q2.What is the small stream of air called that keeps things clean and cool in the laser cutter?
Q3.If the material does not need additional finishing processes after it has been produced, it is _____________.
Q4.Nesting and tessellating both minimise waste. Which statements are true?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Specialist tools and equipment for manufacture: communal areas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Specialist tools and equipment for manufacture: communal areas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Communal areas context unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.