OCR Engineering Design Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

The process that involves removing material to create a desired shape is correctly identified as wasting. Wasting encompasses various manufacturing techniques, such as machining, where material is systematically removed from a larger block to achieve precise dimensions and shapes. This is a critical aspect of many engineering practices, especially in metalworking and woodworking, where the final product must meet specific tolerances and physical attributes.

Wasting contrasts with other processes, such as moulding, which involves shaping material using a mold without removing any substantial portion of the original material, or bending, which alters the material's shape without cutting away sections. Rapid prototyping, meanwhile, typically involves additive manufacturing techniques, which build materials layer by layer rather than removing them. Thus, the essence of wasting is centered on the subtraction of material to yield the desired final form.