Case Studies Menu Bumper nut >> - Design for manufacturing - Innovative use of materials - Dev. of an established product - Competition - Spin-off consequences - Continuous development - Web links Air muscle >> - Source of product idea - World-wide recognition - Design development - Finance - Innovation Process - Low volume manufacture - Web links Mono bug clamp >> - Finding a product - Thorough design development - Design & manufacture integrated - Manufacturing process - Automation - Potential for further products - Web links Remarkable pencil >> - Environmentally friendly - Materials science - Refining manufacturing - Efficient production - Sales & marketing - Importance of aesthetics - Web links Ozone toothbrush >> - 3D models & drawing - Research to prove design - Thorough design development - Branding - Web links

Task Bank

There are 27 tasks (many with multiple parts) set out in this collection, all of which are included in the case studies. They are grouped by case study. They range from a practical activity that will need significant resources and to be led by a teacher, to some quick tasks that are really just a bit of fun. The Web Links list at the end of each case study provide further tasks, to develop your experience in using the World Wide Web and to lead to further Design and Technology understanding.

Enjoy working on them - we hope to increase the number of them significantly in the future.

[Value] - this symbol denotes a task that is concerned with values issues in Design and Technology. Most of these are discussion based or for written responses. They could be used in Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) or Citizenship lessons as well as Design and Technology.

Bumper nut for BMW 5 Series cars
Company: T.R. Fastenings Ltd

Task 1 - Manufacturing and pollution [V]
Task 2 - Find a clinch nut [V]
Task 3 - Tapping threads by hand
Task 4 - Fasteners: disassembly
Task 5 - Product tear down
Task 6 - Fasteners: Product analysis [V]
Task 7 - Screw threads - background

Shadow Air Muscle - for robotics applications
Company: Shadow Air Muscle Company

Task 1 - Androids
Task 2 - Should we build robots? [V]
Task 3 - Robotics [V]

Mono Bug Clamp - a simple pegging device
Company: Technical Moulded Systems Ltd

Task 1 - Product failure [V]
Task 2 - A quick task: Capital costs versus labour costs
Task 3 - Capital investment or jobs for people? [V]
Task 4 - Product evaluation [V]
Task 5 - Polypropylene

Remarkable Recycled Pencils - pencils made from re-cycled plastic vending cups
Company: Remarkable Pencils Ltd

Task 1 - Business to business values [V]
Task 2 - Drawing
Task 3 - Screw threads
Task 4 - Increasing production flow and profits
Task 5 - Targeting customer's value [V]
Task 6 - Exploring the Remarkable Web site

Ozone toothbrush
Company: Ozonex

Task 1 - Eureka!
Task 2 - Performance specifications
Task 3 - Branding [V]
Task 4 - Unique packaging
Task 5 - Re-inventing a familiar product

Schools & manufacturing

Task 1 - Features of Volume Production