New and Emerging Technologies

New and Emerging Technologies

Understanding how new and emerging technologies shape the design and manufacture of products is essential for AQA GCSE Design & Technology (8552). This topic covers industry developments, automation, and how technology influences enterprise and sustainability.

Industry and Enterprise

Enterprise is the process of identifying a market need and developing a product or service to meet it. New technologies create opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions.

Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter allow designers to raise capital directly from consumers before manufacturing begins. This reduces financial risk and validates demand.

Virtual marketing uses social media, websites, and digital advertising to reach global audiences at low cost compared to traditional methods.

Automation and Modern Manufacturing

Technology	Description	Example Use
CAD (Computer-Aided Design)	Software used to create 2D/3D digital models	SolidWorks, Fusion 360 for product modelling
CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacture)	CNC machines controlled by computer programs	Laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling
FMS (Flexible Manufacturing Systems)	Automated systems that can switch between products	Car production lines making multiple models
JIT (Just-In-Time) manufacturing	Materials arrive exactly when needed	Reduces storage costs, minimises waste
Lean manufacturing	Eliminating waste at every stage of production	Toyota Production System

Robotics in manufacturing offer several advantages:

• Consistent quality and precision
• 24/7 operation without fatigue
• Reduced labour costs over time
• Can work in hazardous environments

However, they also bring disadvantages:

• High initial investment
• Job displacement for workers
• Require skilled technicians for maintenance
• Less adaptable to sudden design changes than human workers

The Impact of New Technologies on Production

3D printing (additive manufacturing) builds objects layer by layer from digital files. Key types include:

• FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) — melts and extrudes thermoplastic filament
• SLA (Stereolithography) — uses UV light to cure liquid resin
• SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) — fuses powdered material with a laser

3D printing is ideal for prototyping and one-off production but is slower and more expensive per unit than injection moulding for mass production.

People, Culture and Society

New technologies affect people and society in several ways:

• Planned obsolescence — products deliberately designed to have a limited lifespan, encouraging repeat purchases (e.g. smartphones)
• Technology push — new inventions create products consumers did not know they needed (e.g. smartphones, smart speakers)
• Market pull — consumer demand drives the development of new products (e.g. demand for eco-friendly packaging)

Ethical and Environmental Considerations

Designers must consider:

• Fair trade — ensuring workers in supply chains receive fair wages
• Carbon footprint — the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a product across its lifecycle
• Sustainability — meeting present needs without compromising future generations

Exam Tips

• Be ready to compare traditional and modern manufacturing methods, stating advantages and disadvantages of each
• Use specific examples of products when discussing technology push or market pull
• Questions often ask you to evaluate the impact of automation on employment — give both sides
• Know the difference between CAD and CAM and be able to explain how they work together
• When discussing 3D printing, always link the type to a suitable material and scale of production

Key Definitions

• Automation: The use of machines and computers to control production with minimal human intervention
• Obsolescence: When a product becomes outdated or no longer useful
• Disruptive technology: Innovation that significantly changes how an industry or market operates
• Virtual modelling: Creating a digital 3D representation of a product to test form, function and aesthetics before manufacture