UNIT 1

• Automation

  robotic automation offers

  
  

  more consistency

  more accuracy

  more reliability

  more productivity

  
  

  Best for repetitive jobs that require accuracy
• What kind of jobs are robots good at?

  1. Delivering posts

  2. Repetitive jobs that require accuracy

  3. Reduce errors
• What are the benefits of using robots in manufacture of goods?


  - more productive as they don't take breaks, work continuously

  - can handle tasks that are too dangerous for humans
• How have humans been replaced by robots?

  More complex jobs have been taken over by robots

  Increased demand for skills such as critical thinking
• How have jobs changed?

  Low-skilled jobs have been taken over by machines

  The evolution of tech brings the need for a workforce with updated skills
• How have jobs been created?

  As technology advances, new jobs arise

  New industries related to tech. Eg) AI, robotics, programming
• 2 examples of product innovation


  1.Graphene- Stronger than steel, flexible, transparent2.3D printing- produces solid objects, and bio printing is used to create new organs. This could lead to dangers such as a gun
• Crowd Funding

  Enables businesses to raise investment from individuals who believe in their idea

  
  

  Internet-based way to gain small contributions
• virtual marketing

  using social media, websites and email to promote a product or idea

  
  

  relies on clicks and likes of the public

  
  

  E.g) Youtube, Instagram
• Augmented reality

  the viewing of the physical world with computer-generated layers of information added to it. Eg) virtual reality
• Co-operatives

  An enterprise that is run by its members, a stronger democratic voice
• Fair trade

  Allows for workers to get better prices, decent working conditions and fair items of trade in less economically developed countries
• Universal product code version 'A' (UPC-A) barcode


  Used in EPOS systems and warehouses

  Only numbers
• Code 128 barcode

  Used in transport and shipment tracking

  Has numbers and letters
• What have new and emerging

  1. Personnel, job and hierarchical structure

  2. Physical space + layout of workplace

  3. Systems, processes and workflow
• Finite resources

  Non-renewable resources that will eventually run out

  E.g) Metals, plastics, fossil fuels (oil coal and gas)
• Non-finite resources

  Non-finite resources are found naturally and can be replaced. E.g.) wood, cotton, renewable energy sources (solar and wind)
• Why should finite resources be avoided?

  It cannot be easily replaced by natural means or at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption.

  Bad for the environment
• What are the 5 stages of the Life cycle assessment (LCA)

  1. Extraction

  2. Production

  3. Distribution

  4. Use

  5. End of life
• Describe the 1st stage of the LCA

  Extraction

  
  

  Is the amount of energy used to extract raw materials from the earth ready for manufacturing
• Describe the 2nd stage of the LCA

  Production

  
  

  Is the energy required to manipulate the raw and refined materials into a product for sale
• Describe the 3rd stage of the LCA

  Distribution

  
  

  The packaging and transportation of the product to the end user
• Describe the 4th stage of the LCA

  Use

  
  

  The energy that a product used for working life or useful lifetime
• Describe the 5th stage of the LCA

  End of life

  
  

  The energy that is required to recycle the product and/or dispose of any waste
• What can a company learn by conducting a life cycle assesment?

  Energy can be saved

  Where can working conditions be improved?

  Where can emissions be reduced?

  Where can the material be saved?

  Does our actions have a negative affect on the envirionment?
• What positive effects can careful planning of waste disposal within a company have

  Gives a good business reputation as it attracts more customers

  Saves energy and reduces waste costs

  Less raw material is requires

  Energy to heat and power a business may be generated
• What negative and positive impacts do technologies have on the environment

  Positive impacts

  - Uses renewable materials to power the production of products

  - Using recyclable materials, designing products to be more renewable

  - create products that are sourced locally

  
  

  Negative impacts

  - Overuse of finite and non

  -recycled materials

  - fossil fuels to power manufacture

  - Parts of product which travel long distances to be shipped globally
• Kaizen philosophy?

  workforces work together to find any ways to make adjustments to working practices in order to save time, money and resources.
• Name an efficient working practice and how this has helped the introduction of technology

  E.g 1) Just in time and learn

  Saves money and gives a competitive edge

  
  

  E.g 2) Energy walk

  Someone goes and turns off all the lights, heating and other appliances.
• What can be done to prevent pollution?

  Conducting a LCA (life cycle assessment)

  The company can find out how much pollution is being created and therefore come up with a reduction plan
• Some effects of global warming?

  1. Temperatures as greenhouse gases are released

  2. Habitats destroyed

  3. Severe storms

  4. Rising sea levels
• Describe the carbon footprint pyramid?

  Gets products with 0 net emissions.

  Pyramid shows what steps can be taken to reduce carbon emissions by companies.
• Describe the positive and negative factors of a global marketplace for the manufacturer

  The manufacturer would be able to trade goods with the consumer freely at a lower cost as it is cheaper production.

  
  

  This led to an increase in choice, so they earn more profit via the Internet.
• Describe the positive and negative factors of a global marketplace for the consumer

  For the consumer, it's very cheap you can get it from anywhere, and there is so much to choose from

  
  

  A negative is that you are unaware of the conditions that the people are making the product in
• Technology push


  When a new scientific discovery becomes available, the designers, engineers and technologies use it or turn it into a product despite no consumer awareness

  
  

  this creates new and exciting developments
• Why are research and development departments, the most important areas for a company?

  They need to produce new and exciting products to ensure they keep their market share.

  
  

  They need to be the 1st to the market with new tech which brings success.
• Why is technology very expensive when it first comes to market?

  As there is high development cost and there are normally many issues to correct in the first few models.

  
  

  As a unit cell increases. The cost per unit is reduced.
• How can market push affect the development of smart phones in the future?

  As in the future, technology will increase, new features will be added all the time

  
  

  E.g) graphene phone is 200 times stronger than a steel
• Why does being 1st to the market with a new product to give a company a competitive advantage?

  As it can be the difference between success and failure
• Explain market pull and how it puts pressure on companies to constantly improve their products

  It describes consumer demand as a driving force behind new products.

  
  

  They put pressure on companies to constantly improve their products so that they will keep their share of the market through brand loyalty.