Fundamentals of Technology, Development Process, and Economics

Core Technology Concepts

1. What factors are involved in technology?
   • Scientific and technical knowledge and concepts
   • Technical drawing
   • Materials and their properties
   • Working techniques
   • Economic factors
   • Computers
2. What is the role of scientific knowledge?

   It helps with problem-solving. Examples include understanding air friction for vehicle design or combustion principles for engines.

3. How do techniques work?

   (Answer not provided in the original text)

4. What is technical drawing?

   It is used to convey ideas precisely and descriptively, often through standardized plans and diagrams.

5. Why are economic factors important?

   It's crucial to manage finances, control costs, and understand the economic viability of technological solutions.

6. What role do computers play?

   Computers play significant roles in design (CAD), manufacturing (CAM), simulation, data analysis, and communication.

7. What is the impact of materials and their properties?

   Materials and their properties (like strength, conductivity, flexibility) are essential as they determine an object's function, durability, and cost.

8. How would you define technology?

   Technology is the application of scientific knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to solve problems, meet needs, or achieve specific goals.

9. How important is the internet in technology development?

   The internet is vital, impacting research, collaboration, information dissemination, and access to tools throughout the technological process, from identifying problems to implementing solutions.

10. What is meant by design?

    Design involves the process of planning, creating, and developing solutions, often including drawings, models, or specifications that explain what will be made and how it will function.

The Technological Development Process

11. What are the stages of the technological process?

    The typical stages include: Need identification, Idea generation, Idea development, Construction/Implementation, Testing/Verification, and Marketing/Commercialization.

12. What occurs during the problem or need formulation stage?

    This stage involves analyzing the situation, researching the problem, identifying constraints, and examining existing or similar solutions.

13. What happens during the idea formulation stage?

    This stage focuses on brainstorming potential solutions, analyzing the identified need further, and studying similar cases or technologies.

14. What is done during the idea development stage?

    This stage includes creating detailed drawings or plans, specifying measurements, performing calculations, estimating the budget, and preparing a construction or implementation plan.

15. What is done during the construction or operation stage?

    The actual project, product, or system is built or implemented according to the developed plans.

16. Why is verification or testing important?

    Verification is crucial to evaluate the performance and benefits of the object or solution and to ensure it meets the initial requirements and expectations.

17. Why is marketing important?

    Marketing is necessary to introduce the product or solution to potential users or customers and communicate its value effectively.

Business, Economics, and Industrial Context

18. What are the functions of running a business?

    Key business functions include setting company objectives and strategies, making informed decisions based on market information, managing resources, and ensuring decisions are communicated and executed effectively.

19. What is a production company?

    A production company manages all activities related to manufacturing goods, encompassing the production process itself, along with its organization and management.

20. What problems can industrial activity cause?

    Industrial activity can lead to environmental problems like pollution, resource issues such as the depletion of energy and raw materials, and social issues like inequalities between regions and countries.

21. What is the definition of unit price?

    The unit price is the cost assigned to a single, measurable unit of an item or service.

22. What is the definition of total cost?

    The total cost represents the sum of all expenses incurred to produce a specific quantity of an item or service (e.g., fixed costs + variable costs).

23. How is product cost calculated?

    Product cost can be calculated by multiplying the unit price by the quantity. Conversely, the unit price can be found by dividing the total cost by the quantity.

    Examples:

    • Example 1: Calculate the total cost of hinges for a three-door wardrobe, knowing each door needs two hinges and each hinge costs €0.50. (Calculation: 3 doors * 2 hinges/door * €0.50/hinge = €3.00)
    • Example 2: A room floor requiring 90 tiles cost €45. If each square meter uses nine tiles, calculate the cost per square meter. (Calculation: 90 tiles / 9 tiles/sq.m = 10 sq.m. Total cost €45 / 10 sq.m = €4.50 per square meter.)
24. What is VAT?

    VAT stands for Value-Added Tax, a consumption tax placed on a product whenever value is added at each stage of the supply chain, from production to the point of sale.

25. How is a budget calculated?

    Budget calculation involves estimating all expected income and expenses for a specific project or period. (This item likely refers to a specific classroom exercise.)

26. What does a product analysis involve?

    Performing a formal, technical, socioeconomic, and functional analysis involves examining a product (e.g., a scissors sharpener) from multiple perspectives: its form and aesthetics, technical specifications and manufacturing, societal and economic impact, and how well it performs its intended function.