Planning and Making

Planning

How long have I got for this section? Planning due in on 10/01/06
How many marks is this bit worth? 12
How many pages should it occupy? maximum 3

In this section of your project you will produce a concise plan showing how to make your project. Initially, you need to work out the different stages for your project and the best sequence in which to tackle them. This is important because, inevitably, in a project one part is dependent upon another. For example: you cannot solder switches and components on your circuit until the PCB has been manufactured. Also, work out which tasks could be carried out in conjunction with others. For example: while the laser CNC machine is cutting out a design ready for vacuum forming, prepare another part of your project. This could be a very good way to economise on valuable making time.

Once you have established the order of tasks, you will need to produce a time plan showing how you are going to use your time between now and completion date. The best format for this is a step-by-step plan which deals in sequence with the various stages of manufacture and testing. To make sure that your end product is made to the highest standard, you should plan quality control checks at appropriate stages during manufacture. For example: fully test the continuity of the circuit before soldering on all of the components. You may need to check the quality of materials: are they free from defects? You will also need to check the accuracy of your cutting, joining and soldering.

It is a good idea to work out what you hope to accomplish in each lesson. I strongly recommend that you plan to complete your project a full two weeks before the deadline date. This may seem a crazy idea, but you must allow extra time for contingencies. You may have difficulties in completing your practical work for a range of reasons; some examples from previous years have been - too many people queuing to use equipment (such as CNC machines, PIC programmer, etc), use of particular equipment requiring close teacher supervision, components are unavailable in and must be ordered with a two week delivery time, or simply underestimating the time needed to complete the practical work.

Specify the materials and components in detail that you will require for each lesson and check that they are available one week before you need them. Also specify the tools and equipment that you will need for the lesson. Identify the potential hazards that might occur and the steps that you will take to minimise the risk. This is known as ‘risk management’ and will help to focus your mind before using potentially harmful equipment.

Making

How long have I got for this section? 8 weeks
How many marks is this bit worth? 40
How many pages should it occupy? 0

Whilst there will be little, if any, design work to accompany your making, it is only right that you should know how and where marks are going to be awarded.

Economic use of materials, tools and equipment to a high degree of precision [12]

Ability to work independently and combine a range of appropriate skills and techniques [12]

Product completed to a high quality and meets specification [16]

Your teacher will award the marks here as he or she sees fit. In all cases your teacher will seek to give you the maximum possible mark based on the work that you have done. It is their professional judgement; a moderator from the examination board then checks these marks.

It is therefore crucial that you listen to advice given by your teacher. They have vast experience in marking GCSE work and the advice that they give will be with your best interests in mind.