What's covered
Key facts
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that builds a part layer by layer, usually from plastic.
A clamp is a temporary fastener that holds parts together during assembly (for example while glue sets).
Powered workshop machinery should have an emergency stop button that instantly cuts the power.
Batch production makes a set number of identical items as a group, not a single bespoke one-off.
A coping saw is best for cutting curves in thin wood or plastic because its thin blade can turn.
Safety goggles should be worn when using machinery or cutting tools, to protect the eyes from flying debris.
Casting is pouring liquid (molten) metal into a mould, where it cools and solidifies into shape.
Lacquer and varnish protect a finished surface and resist water.
Guards fitted over the moving parts of workshop machinery must be kept in place while the machine is running, to keep hands and clothing away from dangerous parts. [Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Work equipment and machinery] (retrieved 2026-06-11)
CNC (computer numerical control) machining uses computer instructions to control the cutting tools.
Sample questions
A taste of the 28 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
What is vacuum forming?
- •Bending plastic sheet by hand to shape
- •Cutting plastic sheet with a laser beam
- ✓Heated plastic sheet pulled over a mould
- •Pouring liquid metal into a mould slowly
What is a tenon saw used for?
- ✓Accurate straight cuts in wood
- •Cutting curves in plywood
- •Cutting through metal sheet
- •Sanding rough surfaces smooth
What does PPE stand for?
- ✓Personal protective equipment
- •Polymer-pressed extrusion
- •Pre-production engineering
- •Public-private enterprise
What is injection moulding?
- •Casting molten metal in a cold sand mould
- •Metal hammered into a die using a press
- ✓Molten polymer injected into a metal mould
- •Wood pressed into the shape of a mould
What is the coping saw best for?
- •Carving deep into hardwood
- ✓Cutting curves in thin wood or plastic
- •Cutting straight long lines
- •Cutting thick metal bars
When should safety goggles be worn?
- •Only at the end of a lesson
- •Only when answering questions
- •Only when working with paint
- ✓When using machinery or cutting tools
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