A LEVEL DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY:
PRODUCT DESIGN : PRINCIPLES OF
PRODUCT DESIGN CERTIFICATION SCRIPT
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Types of strength :.
Answer: Strength : ability to withstand particular forceTensile : ability to
withstand stretching or pulling Compressive : ability to withstand pushing or
crushing bending : ability to withstand forces which attempt to bend a
materialShear : ability to withstand sliding forces acting against each other
Torsional : ability to withstand twisting forces
◍ Mechanical properties.
Answer: Plasticity : ability to permanently changed in shape by external
force without damageMalleability : Ability to withstand deformation by
compressionDuctility : the ability to be drawn out Elasticity : ability to flex
+ return to normalToughness : ability to withstand sudden impactHardness :
Ability to withstand abrasive wearStability : ability to resist changes in
shape due to environment
◍ Physical properties.
Answer: Fusibility :ability to change into molten/liquid when heatedDensity
: mass per unit volumeElectrical insulation : offer high resistance to flow of
electricity Thermal conductivity : how material reacts to heatOpacity : how
much light can pass throughTransparency : light can fully pass
throughTranslucent : light can pass slightly through
◍ Stock forms of metals.
, Answer: Sheet : large flat sections in varying thicknessesPlate : generally
thicker than sheetBar : flat bar, square, round, hexagonal tube : hollow in the
cross-section + can be square, rectangular or hexagonalstructural - angular
shapes such as H beams, L beams, I beams, tee bar and channel
◍ ferrous metals : low carbon steel, medium carbon steel, cast iron.
Answer: Low carbon steel :- ductile, high tensile strength, tough malleable-
poor resistance to corrosion- used for nuts, bolts etcMedium carbon steel :-
harder than low carbon but less ductile, malleable and tough- used for
springs, gardening toolsCast iron : -harder outer skin but brittle core, good
compressive strength- used for disc brakes, machine parts
◍ Ferrous (Alloys)- stainless steel, high speed steel, die steel.
Answer: Stainless steel : chromium, nickel + magnesium.- high corrosion
resistance - hygienic , water resistant = suitable for kitchens Die steel :
chromium, tungsten, high carbon steel- hard, tough, durable- known as tool
steelHigh speed steel : Chromium, tungsten, Vanadium- used for tools,
cutting, drill bits
◍ non-ferrous (alloys)- bronze, brass, duralumin, pewter.
Answer: Brass : copper + zinc- used for boat fittings, keys etc- good
conductivity, stronger than copperBronze : Copper + tin- used for coins,
statues etc- expensive due to high copper contentDuralumin : aluminium
allow with copper, magnesium and manganese- strong but light- ideal for
bike frames + aerospacePewter : tin, copper + antimany- used for picture
frames, tankards- malleable, casts well, low cost, hygienic, Aesthetically
pleasing
◍ Softwoods :.
Answer: cheaper than hardwood - matures in 25 yrs or less + lots in the
UKYellow pine : -Affordable, readily available- used in construction,
panelingSpruce :- lightweight, affordable, stable- used in
constructionDouglas fir :- good strength, rot- resistant, machines well- used
for flooring, cabinets etc
◍ Hardwoods :.
, Answer: expensive - takes a long time to mature, more aesthetically pleasing
than softwood, harder to work on but leaves a better quality productOak :-
durable, corrosion resistant, attractive- furniture, flooringTeak :- repels
water, durable- used garden furniture, boatsBeech :- hygienic, durable, small
grain- used for chopping boards, mallets
◍ Plywood + MDF.
Answer: Plywood : - laminates of wood veneers glued with each layer at a
right angle to the grain of the other- strong but flexible if thin- used in
building industry- however it can be expensive, hard to paint, splintering
edgesMDF : -powdered wood banded with glue and compress- used for
interior projects- not particularly strong- absorbs moisture
◍ Aesthetic models.
Answer: A model developed to look and feel like the final product.
◍ Animation.
Answer: The ability to link graphic screens together in such a way as to
simulate motion or a process.
◍ Chipboard + contiboard.
Answer: Chipboard : -woodchips mixed with resin and compressed- used in
kitchen manufacturing, flooring- needs support if used for shelving as it can
be weak- doesn't paint well, edges roughContiboard = laminated chipboard-
used kitchen carcasses- expensive
◍ OSB + Flexiply.
Answer: OSB = compressed fragments of wood - fragments are bigger than
chip board- used for floors and sheds- high strengthFlexiply = modern
version of plywood with a more specific type of wood and thickness- can be
fixed to a curved frame or laminated with glue and left to dry around a
former- more expensive than plywood
◍ Flexible MDF, Aeroply, maplex.
Answer: Flexible MDF = similar to flexiply but board grooved so material
can collapse into grooves when flexed. Also, it can be curved while
, retaining a smooth consistent surface Aeroply : modern plywood for
aircrafts- thin but strong and flexible- can be laser cut for jewelryMaplex :
designed to replace MDF as it doesn't contain any toxic resins- similar
properties to MDF except it has no binding agents- 100 % recyclable
◍ Stock forms of timber.
Answer: - a single piece of wood cannot be bigger then a tree otherwise it
has to be engineered- forms = planks, beams, square, dowels
◍ Assembly drawings.
Answer: A diagram that shows how components fit together to make a
whole. Typically presented in an exploded view.
◍ Veneers + hexaboard.
Answer: Veneers = slices of real wood to make manufactured boards - looks
more expensive as it is peeled of an actual tree- used to make laminated
plywood for e.g skateboardsHexaboard : birch plywood with hard phenolic
resin surface- embossed with a hexagonal pattern- makes it safer to walk on-
used for flooring, aircraft
◍ Bottom-up modelling.
Answer: A designer creates part geometry independent of the assembly or
any other component. Although there are often some design criteria
established before modelling the part, this information is not shared between
models. Once all parts are completed, they are brought together for the first
time in the assembly.
◍ Thermoplastics : HDPE, LDPE, PP.
Answer: LDPE - very tough, Checal resistant, wealterpe, low
rigidityExamples• bin liners , toys, food traysHDPE - Available in
translucent form weather proof, tough , Chemical resistant examples : toys,
buchets, bags for lifePolypropylene (pp) - chemical resistant, tough, fatigue
resistantE.g rope, medical equipment
◍ Thermoplastics : Hips , ABS, PMMA.
Answer: HIPS : hard, rigid, tough, can be translucent E.g yoghurt potsABS :
PRODUCT DESIGN : PRINCIPLES OF
PRODUCT DESIGN CERTIFICATION SCRIPT
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Types of strength :.
Answer: Strength : ability to withstand particular forceTensile : ability to
withstand stretching or pulling Compressive : ability to withstand pushing or
crushing bending : ability to withstand forces which attempt to bend a
materialShear : ability to withstand sliding forces acting against each other
Torsional : ability to withstand twisting forces
◍ Mechanical properties.
Answer: Plasticity : ability to permanently changed in shape by external
force without damageMalleability : Ability to withstand deformation by
compressionDuctility : the ability to be drawn out Elasticity : ability to flex
+ return to normalToughness : ability to withstand sudden impactHardness :
Ability to withstand abrasive wearStability : ability to resist changes in
shape due to environment
◍ Physical properties.
Answer: Fusibility :ability to change into molten/liquid when heatedDensity
: mass per unit volumeElectrical insulation : offer high resistance to flow of
electricity Thermal conductivity : how material reacts to heatOpacity : how
much light can pass throughTransparency : light can fully pass
throughTranslucent : light can pass slightly through
◍ Stock forms of metals.
, Answer: Sheet : large flat sections in varying thicknessesPlate : generally
thicker than sheetBar : flat bar, square, round, hexagonal tube : hollow in the
cross-section + can be square, rectangular or hexagonalstructural - angular
shapes such as H beams, L beams, I beams, tee bar and channel
◍ ferrous metals : low carbon steel, medium carbon steel, cast iron.
Answer: Low carbon steel :- ductile, high tensile strength, tough malleable-
poor resistance to corrosion- used for nuts, bolts etcMedium carbon steel :-
harder than low carbon but less ductile, malleable and tough- used for
springs, gardening toolsCast iron : -harder outer skin but brittle core, good
compressive strength- used for disc brakes, machine parts
◍ Ferrous (Alloys)- stainless steel, high speed steel, die steel.
Answer: Stainless steel : chromium, nickel + magnesium.- high corrosion
resistance - hygienic , water resistant = suitable for kitchens Die steel :
chromium, tungsten, high carbon steel- hard, tough, durable- known as tool
steelHigh speed steel : Chromium, tungsten, Vanadium- used for tools,
cutting, drill bits
◍ non-ferrous (alloys)- bronze, brass, duralumin, pewter.
Answer: Brass : copper + zinc- used for boat fittings, keys etc- good
conductivity, stronger than copperBronze : Copper + tin- used for coins,
statues etc- expensive due to high copper contentDuralumin : aluminium
allow with copper, magnesium and manganese- strong but light- ideal for
bike frames + aerospacePewter : tin, copper + antimany- used for picture
frames, tankards- malleable, casts well, low cost, hygienic, Aesthetically
pleasing
◍ Softwoods :.
Answer: cheaper than hardwood - matures in 25 yrs or less + lots in the
UKYellow pine : -Affordable, readily available- used in construction,
panelingSpruce :- lightweight, affordable, stable- used in
constructionDouglas fir :- good strength, rot- resistant, machines well- used
for flooring, cabinets etc
◍ Hardwoods :.
, Answer: expensive - takes a long time to mature, more aesthetically pleasing
than softwood, harder to work on but leaves a better quality productOak :-
durable, corrosion resistant, attractive- furniture, flooringTeak :- repels
water, durable- used garden furniture, boatsBeech :- hygienic, durable, small
grain- used for chopping boards, mallets
◍ Plywood + MDF.
Answer: Plywood : - laminates of wood veneers glued with each layer at a
right angle to the grain of the other- strong but flexible if thin- used in
building industry- however it can be expensive, hard to paint, splintering
edgesMDF : -powdered wood banded with glue and compress- used for
interior projects- not particularly strong- absorbs moisture
◍ Aesthetic models.
Answer: A model developed to look and feel like the final product.
◍ Animation.
Answer: The ability to link graphic screens together in such a way as to
simulate motion or a process.
◍ Chipboard + contiboard.
Answer: Chipboard : -woodchips mixed with resin and compressed- used in
kitchen manufacturing, flooring- needs support if used for shelving as it can
be weak- doesn't paint well, edges roughContiboard = laminated chipboard-
used kitchen carcasses- expensive
◍ OSB + Flexiply.
Answer: OSB = compressed fragments of wood - fragments are bigger than
chip board- used for floors and sheds- high strengthFlexiply = modern
version of plywood with a more specific type of wood and thickness- can be
fixed to a curved frame or laminated with glue and left to dry around a
former- more expensive than plywood
◍ Flexible MDF, Aeroply, maplex.
Answer: Flexible MDF = similar to flexiply but board grooved so material
can collapse into grooves when flexed. Also, it can be curved while
, retaining a smooth consistent surface Aeroply : modern plywood for
aircrafts- thin but strong and flexible- can be laser cut for jewelryMaplex :
designed to replace MDF as it doesn't contain any toxic resins- similar
properties to MDF except it has no binding agents- 100 % recyclable
◍ Stock forms of timber.
Answer: - a single piece of wood cannot be bigger then a tree otherwise it
has to be engineered- forms = planks, beams, square, dowels
◍ Assembly drawings.
Answer: A diagram that shows how components fit together to make a
whole. Typically presented in an exploded view.
◍ Veneers + hexaboard.
Answer: Veneers = slices of real wood to make manufactured boards - looks
more expensive as it is peeled of an actual tree- used to make laminated
plywood for e.g skateboardsHexaboard : birch plywood with hard phenolic
resin surface- embossed with a hexagonal pattern- makes it safer to walk on-
used for flooring, aircraft
◍ Bottom-up modelling.
Answer: A designer creates part geometry independent of the assembly or
any other component. Although there are often some design criteria
established before modelling the part, this information is not shared between
models. Once all parts are completed, they are brought together for the first
time in the assembly.
◍ Thermoplastics : HDPE, LDPE, PP.
Answer: LDPE - very tough, Checal resistant, wealterpe, low
rigidityExamples• bin liners , toys, food traysHDPE - Available in
translucent form weather proof, tough , Chemical resistant examples : toys,
buchets, bags for lifePolypropylene (pp) - chemical resistant, tough, fatigue
resistantE.g rope, medical equipment
◍ Thermoplastics : Hips , ABS, PMMA.
Answer: HIPS : hard, rigid, tough, can be translucent E.g yoghurt potsABS :
