The Technological Knowledge Strand Explanatory Papers Updated May 2010
Technological Systems
Illustrative Examples from Technology1
Mass production manufacturing systems are an example of technological systems that have had a significant impact in the world. Such technological systems transformed the one-off (and, therefore, craft based) nature of product development and served to change the way labour was managed and perceived in the post-industrial age.
There are four types of manufacturing systems: custom manufacturing, intermittent and batch manufacturing, continuous manufacturing, and flexible manufacturing; all have advantages and disadvantages. Exploring examples of increasingly self-regulatory technological systems allows for insights into the increased sophistication of internal feedback as key parts of a system use data from its own functioning to control and modify its transformation processes.
Black boxing has become a feature of much contemporary design and technological development. It is employed more frequently, because of the complex nature of many sophisticated technological systems, to the point where many complete sub-systems are developed as black boxes. These often become disposable units when a system malfunctions.
The modern car provides an excellent example of a technology that was initially based on highly visible mechanical systems that many lay people could understand and confidently repair. In the past this was a requirement for early cars as they often broke down and garages (and mechanics) were few and far between and New Zealand roads were often isolated and demanding. Drivers, therefore, carried tools and spare parts as a matter of course. In contrast to this, a modern car is more reliable, drivers do not expect it to breakdown, and, if it did, would rarely entertain the notion they could undertake their own repairs. As modern cars become more electronically controlled and managed by a centralised computer system, opening the bonnet exposes a series of carefully integrated black boxes, with the mechanical systems becoming less accessible.
Servicing, troubleshooting, and addressing malfunctions, therefore, have become highly specialised activities that the majority of lay people would deem outside their capability. In fact, many automotive mechanics would also argue that current levels of black boxing are such that their role has reduced from any form of mechanical intervention, to one of computer-assisted diagnostic work with the purpose of finding and replacing parts; little knowledge being needed of what might be happening within the part at fault.
