2. What is Technology?
Technology takes place when people use their
knowledge to extend their abilities, satisfy needs and
wants, and solve problems.
3. The Development of
technology:
By tracking how our wants and needs have
developed over time, we can see how technology has
developed.
We can categorize most inventions into three
different Ages of Technology: Agricultural Age,
Industrial Age and Informational Age.
4. Agricultural Age
( ~10,000yrs ago)
Economy was based on growing crops and raising
livestock.
Key Invention:
Plow
Loom
Reading and writing
Measurement
Money
5. Industrial Age ( ~ 1750)
Economy was based on manufacturing.
Key Inventions:
Steam engine
Mass production
Trains, planes, automobile
Skyscraper
6. Information Age
Economy is based on knowledge.
Today we live in the Information Age
Key Inventions:
Telephone, radio, TV
Transistor
Computer
Internet and World Wide Web
7. The Design Process
DESIGN is the process of creating things by planning.
Designing requires investigating, answering questions, and
making decisions.
Designing Steps:
Identify a Need or define the problem
Gather Information
Develop Possible Solutions
Model the Solutions
Test and evaluate the solution
Refine the solution
Communicate your ideas
8. Identify a need or define the
problem:
The first step in beginning the design process is
identifying a need or defining the problem.
Think of the Criteria: things that the product must
do or include.
Consider the Constraints: limits placed on the design
and the designer.
A Design Brief will help clarify design problems:
State the problem.
List the Criteria.
List the constraints.
9. Gathering Information
Look for information that will help to design a
solution.
Research how others have solved similar problems
Conduct internet searches to locate information
Conduct surveys
Talk to other people.
Feedback from people/customers who will use the
product.
10. Develop Possible Solutions
Many problems have numerous solutions. Always
consider all possible solutions instead of holding onto
the first that pops into your head.
Brainstorming is a great technique designers use to
develop their ideas. Brainstorming is a process in
which group members suggest ideas out loud as they
think of them.
Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the ideas
that were brainstormed.
The design chosen should not only work good but it
must also look good.
11. Model the Solution
Building a model is an additional way of gathering
information and it is a great way to test design ideas.
There are many different models you can construct:
Two-dimensional and pictorial drawings,
sketches, and renderings can help you visualize
what a design solution would look like in real life.
A Prototype is a working model. It looks and
functions just like the finished product and is
usually made by hand.
12. Test & Evaluate the Solution
MODELS AND DESIGNS MUST BE TESTED!
Important questions that must be answered:
Does it do what it is supposed to do?
Is it safe to use?
Will it last as long as it needs to?
Is the cost within acceptable limits?
Is it comfortable to use?
Does it have a pleasing appearance?
Does it stay within the criteria and constraints?
13. Refine the Solution
After testing and evaluating, there might be changes
that will be needed.
This refinement period is where the design is
improved before production begins.
14. Communicate Your Ideas
Communicating the idea is just as important as the
design itself – Designers must prove that their designs
are worthy of manufacturing.
Drawing, charts, prototypes, and dialogue are the
tools used to sell a design idea.
15. Who Designs Solutions?
An Engineer is a person who uses his or her
knowledge of math, science, technology and
communication to solve technical design problems.
Engineering changes as new needs develop. As new
technologies emerge, new types of engineering are
introduced.
16. Types of Engineers
Classic Engineers: ( Civil, Mechanical, Mining, Chemical)
The oldest engineering category is the Civil Engineering
(~1700s) -- this type of engineers most commonly designed
structures, which were used by the public.
New Generation of Engineering: ( Manufacturing,
Aerospace, Materials, Environmental & Computer )
Manufacturing Engineers try to find the best way to produce a
product. Their objective is to increase productivity.
Environmental Engineers came developed sue to the rapid
increase of manufacturing. They design cleaner production
methods and design systems t clean up polluted sites.
