TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: TYPES AND REAL EXAMPLES - TECHNOLOGY - 2025

The technological systems include a set of procedures and methods which serve to facilitate the work of man in a context of technical action. The units that make up a technological system work with each other in order to control, handle, transport and / or control materials under specific objectives.

Therefore, it is understood that each element that makes up this system fulfills a specific and important role. Although it is usually associated with the management of artifacts, this term can also be valid to explain other dynamics, such as those produced in organizations or even from individuality.

For a system to be identified as technological it must have two elements: an input or raw material, and an output or product. Technological systems include objects, natural resources, people (designers, operators, and customers), organizations, scientific and technical knowledge, laws, and cultural and social norms.

History

Some authors estimate that the birth of technological systems occurred in a series of phases:

- It was manifested during the s. XVIII and early s. XIX and was characterized by seeking the improvement of inventions to create ideal living conditions.

- Later the development of inventions took place, which were tested to try to satisfy the needs of a conglomerate. In this historical process the potentialities of inventions were explored.

- The next phase is characterized by the intervention of social and cultural elements to nurture the technological system. Companies take inventions to manage manufacturing and marketing.

- The technological system matured and moved to other areas of daily life (situations or locations). It is at this point where quality standards are established during the processes for the generation of the product. For this it is necessary to follow a set of rules and laws.

- The final phase is characterized by growth and competition. It seeks to improve systems and services, while diversifying to achieve greater stability.

Parts of a technological system

Input

It is the primary element that will allow us to obtain a final product.

Transformation

A technological system transforms the input; it works based on the information it received from the input.

Output

It is the result that we obtain from the system.

Control

It allows establishing how the technological system should work. Without control, some processes are likely to go wrong.

Subsystems

They work according to the global technological system, but also each subsystem acts as a system in itself. For example, a cell phone has a camera, flashlight, touch screen, etc. Each of these elements works as a system unto itself.

Types

Mechanic system

Its functions consist of transforming or transmitting elements from sources to other types of energy. They use solid, interconnected pieces that allow them to perform movements with a certain type of force.

They are also characterized by having direction and intensity, which can be modified as required. Some examples of these systems are the pulley, the lever and the winch.

Electric system

It takes electrical energy as the basis for generating light, movement or heat. It is made up of electric current, conductors (for example, cables), capacitors, among others. From this type of system, you can obtain:

-Movement

Electrical energy is transformed into kinetic energy. Motors, electromagnets, fans, brakes and clutches are some examples.

-Illumination

The source is converted into light energy like lamps or domestic lighting systems; even lasers, whose use extends to medicine and telecommunications.

-Sound

They deliver as output sound energy such as the bell, headphones, loudspeakers, radio devices and portable music reproduction devices.

-Hot

The final result obtained is thermal energy, such as those present in kitchens and thermal blankets.

Hydraulic system

The force obtained is due to fluid pressure. The different densities of the liquids allow these systems to be sustainable.

It is possible to find this type of mechanisms in excavators, hydraulic motors, cranes and even in drilling towers.

Pneumatic system

They work similarly to the previous one, but instead of using a liquid, they use gas to generate power. Therefore, thanks to compressed air it is possible to obtain mechanical energy. Its components are:

-Compressor

It is responsible for absorbing air to later reduce the volume through pressure.

-Deposit

It accumulates and stores the air, cooling it. Generally speaking, it controls the air conditions.

-Filter

Also called a storage unit, it is responsible for "preparing" the air before entering the system.

Although these are known as the main systems, others can also be considered, such as patents, copyrights, organizations and even encryption algorithms.

Real examples

Amplifier

Its main source is electrical energy to increase the amplitude of the signal. This is regulated by voltage or current.

They are devices used in the manufacture of electronic devices of all kinds. One of this type is the sound amplifier.

Digital still cameras with interchangeable lenses

They work like single-lens cameras but use a digital system that makes the mechanism resemble an analog type. The electrical structure that integrates it allowed an important step towards the evolution of modern photography.

Edinburgh tolls

It is a system of rates or pricing to decongest the city that consists of introducing a daily charge to enter within it.

The idea is that, with the money raised, the improvement of public transport could be financed. This proposal was rejected during a referendum held in the country.

Minitel

It is one of the predecessors of what the current Internet is. Minitel was launched in France in 1982, and it was a system that worked to check the phone book, book train or theater tickets, and even featured chat rooms.

Despite the technological advancement for the time, it presented limitations that produced its subsequent disappearance 30 years later.

Themes of interest

Examples of technological objects.

Technological inventions.

References

1. 10 Technological Systems Ahead Of Their Time. (2015). In Listverse. Retrieved: March 8, 2018. In Listverse of listverse.com.
2. Amplifier. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: March 8, 2018. In Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org.
3. Characteristics of Technological Systems. What are they? (sf). In Montana. Retrieved: March 8, 2018. In Montana from montana.edu.
4. Edimburg congestion charge. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: March 8, 2018. In Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org.
5. Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: March 8, 2018. In Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org.
6. Technological systems. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: March 8, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
7. What is a Technological System ?. (sf). In Study. Retrieved: March 8, 2018. In Study de study.com.