Level 3 Unit 3: Level Technological Systems InteractionVocabulary List

  1. Assembly A group of components that are put together to make a system or subsystem.
  2. Brand Loyalty When a consumer generally purchases products or services from or made by the same manufacturer.
  3. Breakdown When a component or system is not functional, is worn out, or used up.
  4. Computer Control A manufacturing procedure that allows a designer to develop and program a piece of equipment to complete parts using the computer to control the machine components.
  5. Custom Manufacturing Custom manufacturing is a process that involves specialization in the process of creating a specific product. The completed product is created in small batches or individually to meet a specific need, rather than for mass production and sales.
  6. Customer Service Providing a service experience to the consumer, before, during and after a purchase, such as helping someone to decide on a product, treating the customer with respect during the sale and providing replacement parts.
  7. Functionality The quality of a product or service that meets the needs or purpose of the consumer well.
  8. Interaction The direct effect that one component or subsystem has on another system.
  9. Malfunction When a component, system or subsystem malfunctions, it is no longer working properly or as it should.
  10. Robotics A machine that is capable of doing the work of a person, controlled by programming or hardware to complete a specific task , often one that is repetitive, difficult or dangerous for a person. For example, a robotic arm on an assembly line can weld in places that are difficult or dangerous for a person to be.
  11. Service In this case, service is referring to the continued customer service after a sale, such as visiting a home to repair a malfunctioning appliance.
  12. Subsystem A smaller system that is part of larger system, such as a braking system being part of the larger system of a car.
  13. Troubleshooting The process of finding problems or malfunctions within a system and correcting them to restore system functionality.
  14. Warehouse A storage facility for goods and services, a central location for shipping.
  15. Warranty A written guarantee or promise from the manufacturer to the consumer to repair or replace a product if it proves to be faulty.
  16. Adaptation When a product or system is changed or innovated to meet a new purpose, it is adapted.
  17. Model A three-dimensional representation of a product or system.
  18. Obsolete A product that is no longer in use, old-fashioned or out of date. It is important to note that the product can be functional, but it becomes unfashionable or unusable due to product needs. For example, a cassette tape player may be functional, but it becomes unusable because cassette tapes are no longer produced.
  19. Proof of Concept A test of an idea, demonstrated by a completed prototype, showing how an object or system will function.
  20. Prototype The original model of a product or system, used to plan production and troubleshoot problems.
  21. Scale Drawing A drawing that represents a person, place, object or system and is proportional to the original item. For example, it is possible to draw a full size, accurately measured drawing of a house, but it is much easier to use a scaled drawing to convey ideas.
  22. State of the Art The most current, highest level of development in a product service or system now.
  23. STEM The integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in teaching and learning.