The 'New' Industrial Age of High-Technology Production
Throughout time we have seen technological growth but in the 20th Century we saw it explode. New materials, manufacturing technologies, combined with changes in lifestyle cause a product design revolution. Noticeable changes that were influential included new metal alloys, polymers and composites. These enabled new ways of manufacturing and designing. The development of computers in the 19040's and the silicon chip in 1960's enabled relatively inexpensive portable computer technology to be developed and transformed modern industrial society. For the computer timeline click here.
Computers and the Development and Manufacture of Products
CIM, CAD and CAM have changed the way that modern manufacturing work. The use of computers has enabled businesses to respond rapidly enabling clients needs to be met by turning around work quickly. This is noted especially in the print industry where large volumes of coloured newsprint can be turned around in a matter of hours. The page layout and content can be designed, adjusted, shared, proof-read and agreed extremely quickly. The printing plates can be directed printed from computers and on the machines in minutes rather than hours. The quality and accuracy is higher because the technology allows it. Gone are the days where reporters had to send a roll of film to head office for use in an article! This same integration enabled by computers is reflected across the product design industry, just look at how it has changed from Henry Ford's revolution! Watch the video below that just scratches the surface of how computer technology has revolutionised the car industry. This video includes the manufacturing but also there is the management information structure that supports the company for the design, development, computer structural modelling concurrent design etc...
For wider reading on CAD/CAM/CIM Click here
Miniaturisation of Products and Components
One of the biggest and important developments in recent years has been in the area of microelectronics. Technological advances have seen the first electric switch (valve) miniaturise to a transistor and then multiple transistors to appear on an IC. This has now developed and into microprocessors and beyond enabling smaller and more multi-functioning products to be developed.
Mobile phones have benefitted from, and has pushed the development of, many key technologies:
Advanced Battery Technology came from the need to make mobile phones easier to carry. This brought about the LI or Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery which makes the cells smaller and thinner being able to hold much more energy and reduce the memory effect. This has now been extended to power tools and more recently lawnmowers. Advanced Liquid Displays (LCDs) have brought about thinner brighter more efficient (needing less current) being used in thinner housings. Recent developments are foldable screens increasing the viewing are but keeping the phones small. Advanced Integrated Circuits or ICs that allow more circuitry to be included on each microchip, reducing size and increasing functionality and power. |
Use of Smart Materials and Products for Innovative Applications
Since the introduction of smart materials, they have developed significantly and are o woman is calling product being used more and more for innovative applications. Their ability to respond to changes and then go back to their original state is really advantageous.
Smart glass adapts to vary its light transmission properties. When a voltage is applied to it it changes from transparent to translucent, when the voltage is taken away it returns back to transparent. This can be used for example in windows or skylights to reduce glare by providing shade from the harmful UV rays or provides privacy. It also controls the amount of heat passing through a window saving energy costs (if you reduce the sun’s glare in hot countries you reduce the amount of air-conditioning needed). Unfortunately it is expensive to install and requires a constant supply of electricity. It is a digital condition so therefore you cannot control the degree of transparency. There is no speed control either.
Thermochromic pigments can be mixed with other polymers to manufacture items that change colour with temperature. A good example of this is when used for the main bodies of kettles. When it is hot and the water is boiling, these kettles are bright pink and when they return to their original colour they become blue signifying whether the water is potentially dangerous or not. Thermochromic pigments are not only a great aesthetic novelty aspect to a design but also a great safety feature as well as it gives an immediate visual indication of temperature. Unfortunately it is not possible to engineer accurate temperature settings to colour changes and there is a limited colour range.
Smart oils fluids and greases can be used in cars suspension systems to dampen the ride. All cars have dampers in their suspension system and when used in conjunction with springs they control whether a car has a rough ride allowing better handling, or a smoother ride but worse handling. In traditional suspension setups the car is set in one position usually in the middle of these two scenarios. Family cars might opt for a smoother ride and sports cars better handling. More recently some cars are using a smart oil in the dampers that can change the viscosity magnetically either at the flick of a switch or automatically. This changing of viscosity means that the suspension can be varied to allow for both a smooth ride and better handling. When it is used as part of a control system it can automatically adjust very quickly to improve handling and road holding as it adapts to the road giving better and faster control. This also makes the vehicle safer when cornering as it adapts to the conditions. Unfortunately such technology is more expensive than traditional suspension.
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are used in frames of glasses (spectacles) which means if they get deformed it is possible for them to return to their original shape. The crystal structure of the frame remembers it. The great thing about shape memory alloys is that it makes the products extremely flexible so if the glasses were to be sat on they can be returned to the normal shape without permanent deformation. It is quick to return to their original shape when bent and in the case of the glass frames it is light weight and durable; the alloy contains titanium. Unfortunately they are not totally unbreakable and there are obviously more expensive than similar frames made from traditional polymers.