Mechanisms — AS & A Level Design And Technology (9705) questions by topic
Mechanisms questions ask you to describe how a mechanism, such as a stage set with three coloured lights and a curtain, achieves its movement, explain terms including efficiency and velocity ratio, describe named mechanisms with an example of each, and draw a full-size isometric drawing from orthographic views. Describe, explain and evaluate cover the written and analytical demands, while develop and draw direct the sketching and design work.
12 questions from the 2023 to 2024 papers sit here, worth from 20 up to 80 marks for the longer design responses. Because isometric and rendering work is marked on technical accuracy, submitting a drawing for instant marking flags a missed render or an inconsistent scale straight away, rather than leaving it to be caught only once the whole design response is complete.
What examiners look for
- Examiners repeatedly found that evaluation ranged from generic commentary to excellent annotation, and that the pop-up aspect of a design was occasionally left out entirely.
- A recurring criticism is that some candidates offered a narrow range of similar ideas for a tray or packaging concept rather than genuinely different options.
- Reports note that some responses applied no render at all to a drawing, where rendering was expected.
- Strong answers, according to the reports, produced three distinct ideas for a pop-up card with visible development between them.
- This session's outstanding responses used a variety of rendering styles to produce superb three-dimensional drawings.
May–June 2024, Paper 31
Fig. 7.1 shows orthographic views of a camera. Draw a full-size isometric drawing of the camera. Assume any dimensions not given.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 32
Fig. 7.1 shows orthographic views of a camera. Draw a full-size isometric drawing of the camera. Assume any dimensions not given.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
Fig. 9.1 shows an incomplete design for a child's game. The gantry moves along the top of the tray and then lowers the magnet to pick up the metal discs. The tray is 1000 mm long…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Fig. 9.1 shows an incomplete design for a game. The game tray is 700 mm long × 400 mm wide × 100 mm tall. A Ø20 ball bearing is used. The tray contains: a channel running…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
Fig. 3.1 shows details of a model of a pulley system. The model consists of an acrylic housing (3 mm acrylic, 30 × 40 × 100 mm), two Ø80 × 15 mm aluminium pulley wheels, and a…
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 5.1 shows an incomplete design for a storage rack. The rack is made from painted acrylic. Each end piece is 12 × 200 × 400 mm and each shelf is 12 × 150 × 900 mm. The ends…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 33
(a) Explain what is meant by the following terms used when describing mechanisms: - (i) efficiency [2 marks] - (ii) velocity ratio [2 marks] (b) Describe each of the following…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Fig. 8.1 shows an incomplete design for a gift set that is to be sent through the post. The gift set consists of: a folded greeting card (210 × 148 mm folded); four chocolates…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 32
Fig. 9.1 shows three boxes, A, B and C, which house different mechanisms. The boxes house mechanisms which will transfer rotational motion (shown on the right-hand side of each…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Fig. 2.1 shows a calendar. The front disc is made from foamboard, Ø180 mm × 6 mm, with openings for the day and month. Behind the front disc, two smaller foamboard discs (6 mm…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Fig. 9.1 shows a model of a stage set made from 15 mm plywood. The model is 500 mm wide × 800 mm tall × 400 mm deep. It has a platform 200 mm high, three lights (different…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 33
Discuss the impact of CAM (computer aided manufacture) on the manufacturer and the consumer.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Design And Technology topics
- Manufacturing processes (49)
- Product analysis and design (38)
- Materials (28)
- Working drawings and graphics (23)
- Structures (22)
- Sustainability (9)
- CAD/CAM (7)
- Electronics and systems (5)