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Lesson 11 of 12
  • Year 11

Production aids

I can describe different types of production aids and explain how they are used to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Lesson 11 of 12
New
New
  • Year 11

Production aids

I can describe different types of production aids and explain how they are used to improve accuracy and efficiency.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Production aids are tools, equipment, or methods used to make products more accurate, consistent and efficient.
  2. Different materials require specific production aids to support manufacturing.

Keywords

  • Production aid - a piece of equipment used to support or simplify the manufacturing process

  • Efficiency - working in an organised way that doesn't waste time and resources

  • Repeatability - being able to produce the same outcome multiple times

Common misconception

A mould and a former are the same thing.

A mould contains the material and shapes it as it sets or solidifies. A former is a shape around which a material is bent or stretched.


To help you plan your year 11 design and technology lesson on: Production aids, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Show real examples of simple production aids - like a paper cutting die, a textile pattern, or a drilling jig. Pupils often struggle with the abstract terminology, so handling or seeing the aids in context makes the differences between moulds, formers, dies and jigs much clearer.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is one main benefit of using standard stock forms in manufacturing?

they are always made from recycled materials
they are customised for each product
Correct answer: they're easier to transport, store and use in different manufacturing processes
they don't require specialised tools to work with

Q2.
Put the stages in the correct order from source to stock form:

1 - raw material is collected
2 - material is processed to be usable
3 - use material in manufacturing

Q3.
Removing parts of a material to shape it is called

Correct Answer: wasting, waste

Q4.
What does CNC stand for?

Computerised Numeric Cutting
Controlled Numerical Coding
Correct answer: Computer Numerical Control
Central Networked Control

Q5.
Which scale of production is most suitable for a weekly magazine?

mass production
one-off production
continuous production
Correct answer: batch production

Q6.
What does 'standardised' mean in manufacturing?

each product is unique and custom-made
Correct answer: products are made to the same specifications every time
production happens only once for a prototype
machines are never used in the process

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes the ability to make the same product to the same standard again and again?

efficiency
accuracy
Correct answer: repeatability
consistency

Q2.
A is used in textiles to cut fabric pieces to the correct shape.

Correct Answer: pattern, patterns, pattern piece, pattern pieces

Q3.
Which production aid is most suitable for stamping shapes into sheet metal or card?

pattern
Correct answer: die
template
former

Q4.
Guides and are used on machines to make sure cuts or holes are the same every time.

Correct Answer: stops, stop

Q5.
Match the production aid to the correct description:

Correct Answer:template,a flat outline used to repeat a 2D shape

a flat outline used to repeat a 2D shape

Correct Answer:jig,guides a tool such as a drill

guides a tool such as a drill

Correct Answer:former,a solid shape that materials are bent or pressed over

a solid shape that materials are bent or pressed over

Correct Answer:mould,a hollow shape filled with liquid or softened material

a hollow shape filled with liquid or softened material

Q6.
True or false: A jig holds a workpiece still but does not guide the tool.

true
Correct answer: false