Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Technology

Seed Drill - Jethro Tull

He perfected a horse-drawn seed drill in 1700 that economically sowed the seeds in neat rows (1714). He later developed a horse-drawn hoe.

Four Crop Rotation - Lord Townshend

Flying Shuttle - John Kay

The flying shuttle was one of the key developments in the industrialization of weaving during the early Industrial Revolution. It allowed a single weaver to weave much wider fabrics, and it could be mechanized, allowing for automatic machine looms.

Spinning Jenny - James Hargreaves

The spinning jenny is a multi-spindle spinning frame and was one of the key developments in the industrialization of weaving during the early Industrial Revolution. It was invented in 1764 by James Hargreaves in Stanhill, Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire,... Continue reading "Key Inventions of the Industrial Revolution" »

Unit 3: Network Computing and Protocols

Firewall: A software program that helps screen out hackers, viruses, and worms that try to reach your computer over the internet.

ADSL: A device used to connect a computer or router to a telephone line which provides the DSL service to connect to the internet broadband communications technology.

Router: This is a hardware device that routes data from a local area network (LAN) connection.

How Does Network Computing Work?

• IP Address: A numerical label assigned to each device.
• HTML: The language for creating web pages.
• URL Address: The protocol used for referencing online addresses.

Communication Protocols

• TCP: The suite of communications protocols used to connect hosts on the internet.
• FTP: An open protocol standard

Essential Electronic Components

Relays

Relays are components used to control a high voltage current by means of a small current applied to a coil. When an electric current passes through the coil, it acts like an electromagnet and attracts a movable piece of metal that closes two contacts. If an electric current doesn't flow through the coil, the central contact stays joined to the contact on the left.

Capacitors

These are components that can store electric charge. They are made of two conductive plates separated by a non-conductive material called a dielectric. There are two kinds of capacitors: electrolytic and non-electrolytic capacitors. Electrolytic capacitors have terminals of different lengths, while non-electrolytic capacitors have terminals... Continue reading "Essential Electronic Components: Relays, Capacitors, and More" »

Gears: Basic Concepts

1. What are gears and what are they used for?

They are mechanical elements designed to transmit turning movements.

2. What does it mean when two gears "engage"?

It means their teeth fit into those of another similar wheel.

3. What are the two main characteristics of gears? How are they represented?

The two main characteristics are the number of teeth (Z) and the rotational speed (N).

4. What happens if two gears have a different number of teeth? And if they have the same number?

• If they have a different number of teeth, the smaller gear rotates faster than the larger gear.
• If they have the same number of teeth, they rotate at the same speed.

5. In a pair of gears, what role does the motor gear have? And the output gear?

• The motor

Understanding Levers: Simple Machines

What is a Lever?

Levers are simple machines. They are made up of a rigid bar and a point of support, which is also called a fulcrum. They are normally used to exert a large force using only a small force; they are a type of force multiplier.

Key Elements of a Lever

Resistance is the force that must be overcome by the applied force. The point of support, or fulcrum, is the point about which the lever swings. The arms, the force arm and the resistance arm, correspond to the distance between the fulcrum and the applied force or resistance, respectively.

• The force arm is the distance between the fulcrum and the applied force.
• The resistance arm is the distance between the fulcrum and the resistance.

The Law of the

Fundamentals of Prototyping and Digital Manufacturing

A prototype is an early example of an object that is manufactured to evaluate certain aspects during the construction phase of a technical project. It can cover anything from a specific element to the entire project.

What is Digital Manufacturing?

Digital manufacturing is a manufacturing process where data from a digital design is transferred to computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) tools that execute the prototype manufacturing process without the need for human interaction.

• CAD (Computer-Aided Design): The foundational tool used for creating the digital design.

Understanding 3D Printing Technology

A 3D printer is a machine that can print figures with volume from a computer design.

Key Components

Feasible (Factible)

Possible to do. Example: With the extra resources, the scheme now seems feasible.

Forklift (Máquina elevadora)

A small vehicle with two strong metal bars on the front, used for lifting heavy goods.

Full-scale Drawing (Dibujo a gran escala)

A drawing where the dimensions are the same as the real size of the object.

General Arrangement Drawing (Plano de disposición general)

Shows the layout of an entire assembly or structure, but does not provide details of smaller individual components.

Grid D14 (Cuadrícula D14)

In the designs of large structures, a grid is often superimposed on plan drawings to allow elements and installations to be located relative to the gridlines.

High Bay Warehouse (Almacén alto)

A tall warehouse, approximately

Nick Srnicek on Data and 21st-Century Systems

In this chapter, Nick Srnicek examines the raw material central to the system focus in the 21st century: data. Srnicek demystifies the critique of data collection as a mere monitoring method.

On the one hand, he warns that caution should be exercised regarding the belief that data collection and analysis is an automated and uncomplicated process. On the other hand, he lists the processes that make them profitable. The real problem for capitalist companies was that old business models were not well designed to extract and use data. A different business model was needed, and platforms emerged.

Platforms became an efficient way to monopolize, extract, analyze, and use the increasing amounts of data being... Continue reading "Nick Srnicek on Data Extraction and Platform Business Models" »

IoT Solution Ecosystem Fundamentals

IoT solutions are an ecosystem of orchestrated devices, services, and applications, implementing specific business logic.

Types of IoT Solution Platforms

IoT platforms can generally be categorized based on their primary focus:

• Process-Centric Platforms: These focus on orchestration, API management, integration, interoperability, and data transformation.
• Data-Centric Platforms: These focus on data storage, data manipulation, and data analysis.
• Device-Centric Platforms: These primarily handle device management and lifecycle.
• Network-Centric Platforms (Gateways/Servers): These deal with protocol transformation and network connectivity.

Major Challenges in IoT Deployment

Key challenges facing the Internet of Things include... Continue reading "IoT Solutions: Platforms, Security Challenges, and Deployment Constraints" »

Defining Area Networks and Communication Ranges

Body Area Network (BAN)

This network utilizes wireless (radio) technology, specifically targeting operations on, in, and around the human body. It operates over a short range (< 10 m).

Personal Area Network (PAN)

A network used for communication among devices near a person. The devices do not necessarily need to be owned by that person. PANs can use either wireless or wired technology and operate over a short range (< 10 m).

Near-me Area Network (NAN)

A network enabling communication among wireless devices in close proximity. Devices are not required to be part of the same network; they can belong to different networks.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network of devices that are in proximity, typically... Continue reading "Network Classification and IoT Communication Protocols" »