3.2 Specialist design principles

Commercially available types and sizes of materials and components.

Papers and boards:

• sheet, roll and ply

• sold by size eg A3, thickness, weight and colour

• standard components eg fasteners, seals and bindings

• cartridge paper and corrugated card.

Timber based materials:

• planks, boards and standard moldings

• sold by length, width, thickness and diameter

• standard components eg woodscrews, hinges, KD fittings.

Metal based materials:

• sheet, rod, bar and tube

• sold by length, width, thickness and diameter

• standard components eg rivets, machine screws, nuts, and bolts.

Polymers:

• sheet, rod, powder, granules, foam and films

• sold by length, width, gauge and diameter

• standard components eg screws, nuts and bolts, hinges.

Textile based materials:

• yarns and fabrics

• sold by roll size, width, weight and ply

• standard components eg zips, press studs, velcro.

Electrical and mechanical components:

• sold by quantity, volt and current rating

• standard components eg E12 resistor series, dual in line IC packages (DIL), microcontrollers (PIC).