WJEC Vocational Award Engineering Level 1/2

Chapter 4 Identifying Features of Working Products ACCESSFM continued E = ENVIRONMENT • Where will it be used? • How will it be used there? • What resources were used to produce it? • Is it a sustainable product? • Can it be recycled? • Does it have a negative or positive impact on the local and larger environment? S = SAFETY • Is the product safe to use for the customer/target market or in its environment? • Does it meet all safety regulations? • Is it safe to make? S = SIZE • What numbers or values can you attribute to the product? • Why does it need to be that big/small? • What sizes would be applicable to the customer/ target market? • Can the product be scaled (up or down) to make it better? F = FUNCTION • Does the product function/ work well? • Does it perform the job it was meant to? • Does it work for the customer/target market? • Does it function well in its environment? M = MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES • What materials have been chosen to make the product and why? • What properties are needed from the materials to allow the product to function well? • Are the materials renewable/ non-renewable? • Are they recyclable? • What processes were used to make the product? • Are the processes suitable or can you specify better suited ways of making the product? As mentioned, ACCESSFM is a good starting model to use when asking questions. However, for greater detail you may want to analyse a product using additional titles. Top tip Sustainable: can the manufacture of the product be maintained (is it made from renewable resources)? Key term 63