Clarification details
Updated May 2015. This document has been updated in its entirety to address new issues that have arisen from moderation.
Exploring machines
Students should explore a range of machines to understand how mechanical components combine to achieve mechanical advantage, relative motion, and desired efficiencies in a safe and reliable manner.
These machines should include two or more mechanical components (e.g. cams and followers; pivots and linkages; gears; belt or chains and sprockets; shafts and bearings). This might include workshop machinery (e.g. lathes, drill presses and routers), kitchen machinery (e.g. mincers, mixers), gym machinery, shooting traps, turntables, or machines used in the automotive industry (e.g. pneumatic and hydraulic jacks) or a combination of these.
Terminology
Students should be familiar with the terminology as described in the Explanatory Notes (that is, machine, mechanical components and a machine’s efficiency).
Evidence
Understandings could be demonstrated through annotated drawings and photographs, mock-ups, functional modelling, quotes, website links, text and/or video clips. Students could collaborate with others to research and investigate, but they must present their own work that articulates their individual understandings.