Tech 8

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

• The word “manufacture” comes from the Latin words manu (hand) and factus (to make). Together they mean “made by hand.”

• Definition: • Manufacturing is the changing of materials into useable

products.

• What are some of the different materials used in manufacturing?

Materials

• Natural Materials

• Synthetic materials

• Wood• Hardwood

• Softwood

• Metals• Ferrous metals

• Nonferrous metals

• Plastics• Thermoplastics

• Thermoset plastics

• Ceramics

• Composite materials

Natural & Synthetic Materials

• Natural materials are found in nature.• Examples are:

• Wood

• Clay

• Metal

• Ores

• Oil

• Synthetic materials are made by people• Examples are:

• Plastics

• Ceramics

Wood

• Hardwood comes from trees that lose their leaves in the fall.• Examples are:

• Oak

• Maple

• Walnut

• Softwood comes from trees that keep their leaves and needles all year.• Examples are:

• Pine

• Fir

• spruce

Metals

• Metals can be ferrous or nonferrous• Ferrous metals contain iron.• Nonferrous metals do not contain iron.• Natural metals include:

• Iron, aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, and lead.

• Most metals used today are alloys.• An alloy is made by combining two or more

metals or a metal and a non-metal.• Steel is an alloy of iron.

Plastics

• All plastics fall into two categories – thermoplastics and thermoset plastics

• Thermoplastics are heated and then molded to shape. Later, they can be reheated and remolded.

• Thermoset plastics can be heated and shaped only once. They are used to make fabric, dinnerware, and automobile parts.

Ceramics

• Most ceramics are synthetic materials (man-made).

• They are made by firing (baking) clay, sand, and other natural substances at very high temperatures.

• Ceramic materials are used to make bricks, bathroom fixtures, and cookware.

Composite materials

• A composite material is made by combining two or more materials.

• The materials used to create composite material is not changed.

• They work together to create new materials.• Some composite materials are concrete and plywood

• Concrete is made from cement, sand, and gravel• Plywood is made from sheets of wood and glue.• Other composites are used to make boats, golf clubs,

tennis rackets, and airplanes.

Other materials

• Textiles, leather and rubber are examples of other materials used in manufacturing.• Textiles can be made from natural or synthetic

materials• Wool and cotton are natural materials• Polyester is a synthetic material.

• Leather is made from animal skins. • Shoes are often made of leather. • It is also used in clothing and sporting goods.

• Rubber is made by adding a variety of chemicals to a fluid called latex.

• Some latex comes from rubber trees, but can be synthetic.• Rubber is used in tires, belts, gloves, and many other products.

Sources

• Harms, Henry. & Swernofsky, Neal R. Technology Interactions, Glenco McGraw-Hill: New York, 1999, pp. 138-140.