WJEC Vocational Award Engineering Level 1/2

Chapter 2 Communicating Design Ideas Prototypes Prototypes are similar to models. However, prototypes should also demonstrate how the final solutions actually work. This includes electronics and moving parts. Prototypes are the most expensive and time-consuming way of communicating ideas but are also the closest to the real thing. Prototypes are a very good idea for those products that will cost a lot of money to set up and start making, to ensure that everything is absolutely correct before beginning. A prototype prosthetic hand that has been 3D printed. A prototype car. Now you understand the di erent ways of communicating technical information e ectively to non-Engineers, try answering these questions: 1. Which way of communicating is best? 2. Can/should you use only one option? 3. Can you mix them up by using a combination of communication models/procedures? 4. Who would benefit best from each model? 5. Is communication dependent on what skills you have learnt? Try producing some ideas for a new ‘communication device’ (it does not have to be a phone), using sketches and annotations. Use the annotations to describe what you are trying to show in your sketches. AND Either by hand or by using a CAD software program, create a presentation drawing of a product. Try to communicate as much information as you can about the product (annotations, etc.). It can either be in 2D or 3D. AND/OR Try creating a simple model of your solution. You can use card/paper/ modelling foam or even CAD if you have access to the software. Task 2.3 Modelling foam: a foam material that is easy to shape with sandpaper. Also known as Styrofoam™. Key term 41