Technological Systems

What Is a System?

• A group of interrelated components designed collectively to achieve a desired goal.

• A technological system produces results through the use of technology.

A system may be huge, like a space shuttle.

Or it may be small, like a cell phone.

The Basic System Model

• All systems include an Input, Process, and Output• During the Process the seven technological Resources are used.

InputThe desired

result

OutputThe actual

result

ProcessAction part of a system.

Combines resources that respond to the input to produce a result.

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Resources

What are the 7 Technological Resources?

• Something that supplies help or aid– Could be a source of information or expertise– Could be a source of wealth or revenue– Could be supplies or support

People

People• create technology• use the products

that technology has built

• service technology

Information

• Knowledge

• Communication

• Understanding

Materials

• Raw materials– Found in a natural state– Rocks, oil, plants, animals, trees

Materials

• Raw materials

• Processed materials– Natural resources that have been changed by

technology into a more useful form– Lumber from trees, leather from animals

Materials

• Raw materials• Processed materials• Manufactured materials

– Created when natural resources are altered by processes that do more than change the size or shape of the material.

– They are so changed in form that you can’t recognize where they were from

– Gasoline, paper, glass, metals

Materials

• Raw materials• Processed materials• Manufactured materials• Synthetic materials

– Materials created artificially– Not natural materials– Made by scientifically combining chemicals and

elements into rare natural materials, or materials not found in nature

– Industrial diamonds, man-made rubber, plastics

Tools and Machines

• Tools increase our ability to do work.• A tool becomes a mechanical machine

when a power system is added to make the tool work better.

• Tools and machines increase our ability to do work, and perform our jobs better.

Energy

• Sources of machine power

• Man power

Capital

• Capital is– Barter

– Money

– Credit

– Property

Time

• Everything takes time

• People are paid for the time they work

• Too much or too little time can ruin your results.

Open-Loop System

• A system that has no way of monitoring or adjusting itself is an open-loop system.

• Since you can’t control the temperature, only the time the microwave is heating your food, it may come out too hot or not hot enough.

InputA hot meal

OutputFood is warm

ProcessA microwave combines

the resources to heatyour food for a certain

amount of time.

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Can You Think of Other Open-Loop Systems?

Woodstove

Does the temperatureremain constant?

Washer/Dryer

Do the clothes always come out clean and dry?

Train

Does the speedremain constant while travelling uphill, downhill, or on a flat?

What Is Different in These Systems?

BicycleRider watches roadand adjusts pedaling

or braking.

Car SpeedDriver looks at speedometerregularly and adjusts speed

as needed or sets cruise control.

FurnaceTemperature is controlled by setting thermostat to desired level.

Closed Loop System

Input

Go 30 mph

Output

Car speedis 50 mph

Process

A car combines the resources to movethe car and transport

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ComparatorDriver

compares actual

speed to desired speed.

MonitorDriver sees car is going

too fast.

FeedbackLoop

Combination ofspeedometer, driver’s eye, and driver’s brain formthe feedback loop.

Controller

Driver pressesbrake or

accelerator.

Open or Closed Loop System?

Image Resources

Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved December 10, 2008, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx