Mixed Deck — All DMD Topics Flashcards

Which process is used to permanently join two or more materials by melting them together?

Answer: Welding

Welding involves melting the materials to be joined and typically adding a filler material, forming a strong, permanent bond.

What is a 'Work Breakdown Structure' (WBS) in manufacturing project management?

Answer: A hierarchical decomposition of a project into smaller, manageable components and deliverables

A WBS breaks a project into progressively smaller work packages, making it easier to estimate resources, assign responsibilities, and track progress.

Which quality management framework is most commonly referenced in US digital manufacturing certifications for process improvement?

Answer: Six Sigma

Six Sigma is the most widely referenced framework in US digital manufacturing for structured, data-driven process improvement.

Which tool is used to identify the root cause of a manufacturing defect through a visual diagram of cause categories?

Answer: Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram

The Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram organizes potential causes into categories (Man, Machine, Method, Material, etc.) to identify root causes.

What is the purpose of a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)?

Answer: To proactively identify potential failure modes and their impact on product or process quality

FMEA systematically evaluates potential failure modes before they occur, assigning Risk Priority Numbers (RPN) to prioritize corrective actions.

Which concept describes a manufacturing system designed to eliminate waste by keeping materials and products in use as long as possible?

Answer: Circular economy

A circular economy keeps resources in use as long as possible through designing for reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling at end of life.

What is the primary purpose of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in product development?

Answer: Predicting structural behavior under applied loads and conditions

FEA divides a model into small elements to compute how it responds to forces, heat, or other physical loads before a physical prototype is built.

In structural simulation, which boundary condition type defines how a model is physically supported or attached to its surroundings?

Answer: Constraints and fixtures

Constraints/fixtures define where and how the model is held in place, preventing rigid body motion and simulating real-world attachment conditions.

Which neutral file format is most widely used for exchanging 3D CAD geometry between different software platforms?

Answer: STEP

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) is an ISO standard neutral format specifically designed for 3D CAD data exchange across different systems.

In supply chain risk management, what is a 'single-source supplier' risk?

Answer: Dependence on one supplier for a critical component, creating vulnerability to supply disruptions

Single-source dependency means that if the sole supplier fails, experiences a disaster, or raises prices dramatically, there is no backup, halting production.

What is the purpose of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) in digital manufacturing?

Answer: To monitor and control industrial processes in real time by collecting data from sensors and sending control commands

SCADA systems provide real-time monitoring and remote control of industrial processes by aggregating sensor data and enabling operators to adjust parameters.

What is a 'project charter' in digital manufacturing project management?

Answer: A formal document that authorizes a project, defines its objectives, scope, stakeholders, and assigns the project manager

The project charter formally authorizes the project, establishes its objectives and boundaries, identifies key stakeholders, and gives the project manager authority to proceed.

What is a 'stakeholder analysis' in a digital manufacturing project?

Answer: Identifying all parties affected by the project and understanding their interests, influence, and needs

Stakeholder analysis maps everyone who impacts or is impacted by the project — operators, engineers, management, suppliers — to manage communication and expectations effectively.

What is a collaborative robot (cobot)?

Answer: A robot designed to work safely with humans

Cobots are designed to safely work alongside humans, assisting in tasks while reducing risk through advanced safety features.

What is 'digital thread' in advanced manufacturing?

Answer: A connected data flow that links all phases of a product's lifecycle from design through manufacturing to service

The digital thread creates a seamless data connection across the entire product lifecycle, enabling traceability and insight from design intent to as-built and in-service states.

In digital manufacturing supply chains, what is a Kanban system used for?

Answer: To signal when inventory needs to be replenished by using visual cues or digital triggers

Kanban uses visual or digital signals (cards, bins, alerts) to trigger replenishment of materials only when they are consumed, supporting pull-based production.

What is 'material efficiency' in sustainable manufacturing?

Answer: Using the minimum amount of material necessary to achieve required product performance while minimizing waste

Material efficiency means designing and manufacturing products to use fewer materials and generate less waste without compromising function or quality.

What is a 'Gantt chart' used for in manufacturing project management?

Answer: Visually displaying a project schedule with tasks, durations, and dependencies plotted against a timeline

A Gantt chart provides a bar-chart view of a project schedule, showing when each task starts and ends and how tasks relate to each other.

What is 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR) in manufacturing?

Answer: A policy approach that makes manufacturers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products

EPR shifts the responsibility for product end-of-life (recycling, disposal) from consumers and governments to the original producer, incentivizing better design for recyclability.

What is 'remanufacturing' in sustainable manufacturing practices?

Answer: Rebuilding used products to original performance specifications using a combination of used, repaired, and new parts

Remanufacturing restores used products to like-new performance, extending product life and significantly reducing energy and material use compared to new manufacturing.