Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91349 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to explain how machines work by understanding the mechanical components that make them up and what they do. You need to describe how these parts work together to create useful movement and force, and talk about how efficiently the machine operates. You're studying real machines like chain blocks, jacks, or pulleys—anything with two or more mechanical parts that do work.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91349?

Accepted Answer

1. Explain how different mechanical components (gears, pulleys, cam followers, linkages, shafts, bearings) are combined together to create a working machine 2. Describe how the machine transfers motion and force from its input to its output 3. Identify the mechanical advantage provided by the machine's design 4. Calculate or explain the efficiency of the machine (how much useful work comes out compared to the energy put in) 5. Relate all of this to safe and practical use of the machine

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91349?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You identify the main mechanical components in a machine and describe in basic terms how they work together to transfer motion and force, with some mention of how efficiently it operates. Merit: You explain in detail why specific components were combined the way they were, discuss the mechanical advantage they create, and analyse the relationship between the machine's efficiency and how it's safely used. Excellence: You go beyond describing how it works to discuss why designers chose this particular combination of components, fully justify the mechanical advantage achieved, and connect all of this to the machine's efficiency and real-world application.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91349?

Accepted Answer

1. Not going deep enough: just naming the parts instead of actually explaining how and why they work together 2. Missing the efficiency analysis: forgetting to discuss or calculate how much energy is lost or wasted in the machine 3. Shallow understanding of mechanical advantage: failing to explain how the arrangement of components actually multiplies force or changes the direction of motion

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