Technical Objects

Technology is the study of the different techniques used to create an object. Several steps must be taken to create something, from its conception to its final version. In fact, we must assess the need to be met, represent the object in various ways, identify the functions of each part involved, and plan the materials to be used and the manufacturing steps. Once this is done, the object is manufactured and tested to see if it complies with the initial requirements.

The technological world is closely linked to all scientific fields. Indeed, without technology, scientific progress would be impossible as technological developments enable research methods to be refined. The reverse is also true because, whatever tools, processes, or methods used in technology, they are all based on scientific principles. It is the engineer's task to use this technical knowledge to produce technologies that will serve the scientific fields.

Human beings have a great ability to communicate, whether it be through gestures, words, or drawings. In fact, since the dawn of time, humans have used drawings to express themselves. Long before the emergence of writing, drawings were used to communicate ideas.

Over time, universal graphical languages have developed. For example, the letters of the alphabet are small drawings that have a specific meaning and enable written communication. In technology, graphic communication takes the form of a “technical drawing.” This type of graphical language, governed by a number of conventions, aims to represent an object in such a way as to provide accurate information regarding its dimensions and shapes.

Technical drawings therefore assist us in designing objects and systems that meet our needs. To achieve this, it is necessary to know the tools and rules necessary for making technical drawings. Then, we must choose the right type of representation (diagrams or projections) to meet our needs.

To design and manufacture a technical object, it is important to know the functioning of the parts that will make it up. Mechanical engineering makes it possible to determine, for instance, the roles and functions of the different parts that compose an object and to indicate how these parts are linked together.

Any technical object is an assembly of mechanical parts which allows the transmission or transformation of motion to perform an action or task. In order to fully understand how a technical object works, the forces responsible for generating the different types of motion must be determined.

In the context of manufacturing, the substances used to make objects are called materials. These come from raw materials found in nature and they are shaped and assembled using materials.

The objects around us are made from different types of materials. Some are naturally occurring, such as wood and metals, while others are created in the laboratory, such as plastics and composites.

To choose the right materials to make a technical object, it is necessary to consider their mechanical properties, in other words, how they react to the forces that will be exerted on them. Some of these properties can be improved through various processes.

The production of a technical object takes place in several stages. The first stage consists in designing the object. This is done by:

• Determining and describing the requirements for its construction in the specifications.

• Selecting the materials.

• Developing a design plan and a construction diagram to determine, among other things, the dimensions and shapes of the parts to be manufactured.

Once these various design stages have been completed, the manufacturing process of the object can begin. The operations to be performed as well as the tools to be used are described in the manufacturing process sheet. Finally, it is important to conduct periodic tests and inspections throughout the manufacturing process to ensure the conformity and accuracy of the parts and objects created.