KS 3 - CAD / CAM

The CAD / CAM course at Key Stage 3 gives students opportunities to:

• communicate design proposals through 3 dimensional parametric modelling
• select and use appropriate software to demonstrate graphical skills
• explore the Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) process so that rapid prototyping can take place
• analyse, edit and evaluate designs

Students are set the task of designing and making choices about a product or aspects of its design. They create a desk tidy using Pro Desktop. Students investigate familiar products and examine and express their opinions on a number of different designs.

Students complete one project in Year 7 and one in Year 8 that incorporate Computer Aided Design. The projects studied are:

• Graphics (Year 7)
• Pro Desktop (Year 8)

Students can:

• practice a range of CAD skills through focused tasks
• practice a variety of rendering techniques
• model ideas through views
• investigate CAM and rapid prototyping
• evaluate their product

Students work on a DMA (Design and Make Assignment), bringing together what they have learned to make a product which is fit for purpose.

Course Books and Equipment

• A4 sketchbook, A3 Folder, planner, coloured pencils, drawing pencils, pens, eraser, metric ruler, calculator

Events and Visits

Key Dates

• Students are given assignment deadline dates at the start of each assignment