8.1 methods of production Flashcards
Key production techniques
One off production batch production mass production continuous production standardised production Just in time production JIT Lean production Flexible manufacturing systems FMS Quick response manufacturing QRM
One off production
One-off production is often referred to as job production. This is where you make a single product which is often made to an individual specification for one customer, such as ‘custom-made’ furniture.
Examples of One- off products
Complex large scale projects, such as yachts.
Bespoke or made to measure items, such as a hand made suit or a wedding cake.
Advantages and disadvantages of one-off production
Advantages:
Product made to exact personal specifications.
High quality materials used.
High quality bespoke product.
Usually made by one person from start to finish, such as a highly skilled craftsperson who ensures a high quality product.
Disadvantages:
Products are usually expensive as the cost of materials is higher and production is labour intensive.
Production times are longer as production is labour intensive.
Batch production
Bath production is where a set number of identical products are manufactured that are made in limited quantities or for a limited time. A fixed number of products are produced in pre-determined batches, from a few to a few thousand, depending on the type of product.
Examples of batch products
Olympic medals, books, furniture, freshly made food. Commercially printed materials, such as magazines and newspapers.
Advantages and disadvantages of batch production
Advantages:
Flexibility in adapting production to another product.
Fast response to market trends.
Identical batches of products produced.
Efficient manufacturing systems can be employed.
Very good economies of scale in bulk buying of materials.
Lower unit costs.
Reduces inventory/storage space.
Disadvantages:
Poor production planning can result in large quantities of products having to be stored, incurring storage costs.
Downtime when reconfiguring the production system. For example, frequent changes in production can cause costly re-tooling, reflected in retail price.
Mass production/ high volume
Mass production (high volume production) makes use of efficient automated manufacturing processes and a largely low-skilled, though specialised workforce. Mass production largely driven by mass-market trends
Examples of mass products
Toys, cars and their components, mobile phones/ computers and their component parts.
Advantages and disadvantages of mass
Advantages:
Highly automated and efficient manufacturing processes.
Specialisation of workforce to specific tasks.
Rigorous quality control ensures identical goods.
Materials can be less expensive in higher quantities (economies of scale).
Increased production means that set up costs are quickly recovered.
Low unit costs.
Reduced labour costs.
Disadvantages:
Initial set up cost is high, due to very expensive machinery and tooling needs.
If a production line breaks, manufacture is halted.
Inflexible – cannot respond quickly to market trends.
Disadvantages for Workers (ethical impact): Low-skilled workforce leads to low job satisfaction, resentment, repetitive nature of tasks, low wages, long hours, sweatshop environment. Machines can also replace workers leading to unemployment.
Continuous production
Continuous production is the highly automated manufacture of identical high-demand products. Factories that operate continuous production often run 24
Continuous production products
Production sheet materials like glass, or standard components such as nuts & bolts. Many of these products are used as the materials to make other products
Continuous production advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
As mass production.
Removes the cost of stopping & starting the production process.
Materials can be cheaper in high quantities.
Disadvantages:
As mass production.
Automation can lead to staff redundancies.
High capitol input.
Very low flexibility in changing the product or design.
A fault in production can stop the whole process.
