Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Design and Technology
Lesson Topic: The use of CAD (computer-aided design) for the storage and retrieval of data and the manipulation of images to aid design, production and management.
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe how CAD file types store geometry, assembly and metadata.
  • Explain the purpose of naming conventions, version control and database indexing for data management.
  • Apply basic image transformation techniques (scale, rotate, translate) within CAD software.
  • Evaluate advantages and limitations of CAD for production planning and project management.
  • Use PDM queries to retrieve parts based on material or weight criteria.
Materials Needed:
  • Computer with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks or AutoCAD)
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Sample CAD files (DWG/DXF, assembly, metadata)
  • Worksheet with naming‑convention and query exercises
  • Printed handouts of transformation‑matrix formulas
  • Access to a PDM demo or database interface
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: how many students have used CAD to store or retrieve design files?
Recall previous lessons on basic 3‑D modelling and discuss why organised data is crucial for product development.
Today’s success criteria: students will be able to explain data‑management practices, perform a simple image transformation, and construct a basic PDM query.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5’) – Students answer a short quiz on file types and naming conventions.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Overview of CAD data storage, version control and PDM indexing, with on‑screen examples.
  3. Guided practice (15’) – In pairs, students open sample CAD files, apply a naming convention, and create a revision number.
  4. Image‑manipulation demo (10’) – Teacher shows how to import a raster image, trace to vector, and apply translation/rotation using matrix input.
  5. Query activity (10’) – Students use a mock PDM interface to write a simple SQL‑like query to find aluminium parts under 2.5 kg.
  6. Case‑study discussion (10’) – Review the automotive suspension‑arm example, highlighting data flow from design to CNC output.
  7. Check for understanding (5’) – Exit ticket: list three data‑management practices and one image‑manipulation tool learned today.
Conclusion:
Summarise how organised CAD data and image tools streamline the pathway from design to production.
For the exit ticket, each learner writes one advantage and one limitation of CAD data management.
Assign homework: create a small CAD sketch, apply a transformation, and document the file‑naming convention used.