Life Cycle Assessment + Automation

Question 1

What is automation?

Answer 1

Tasks performed by a mechanised assembly lines rather then a human.
Significant development in the manufacturing process and helps meet increased demand for products

Question 2

What are the advantages?

Answer 2

• Increased efficiency and speed of production
• Accurate and consistent output
• Reduced labour costs and can work 24/7
• Ability to work in a variety of environment

Question 3

What are the disadvantages?

Answer 3

• Replaces workforce leading to some job losses
• No human input/decision making
• Up-skilled workforce to maintain robots
• Expensive to run

Question 4

What is Just in Time?

Answer 4

Triggered by a customer order.
The correct amounts of materials are ordered in to cover the order, and these arrive just as they are needed by production.
This saves money on storage, reduces waste and ensures there is no money wasted producing stock that will remain unsold.

Question 5

What are the advantages?

Answer 5

• Products are made to order, saving on storage space
• Stock doesn’t become old or out of date
• More Factory space can be utilised for other activities
• Materials and components are ordered as needed, keeping cash flow in control

Question 6

What are the disadvanatges?

Answer 6

• The supply chain must be reliable and fast
• Sales are affected by any delay in deliveries or product failures
• Costs are higher, ordering in small quantities prevents bulk volume discounts

Question 7

What is a cooperative?

Answer 7

Enterprise that is commonly owned and run by its members who may comprise its workforce or its customer.
Formed to enable a group of people with the same business interests to have greater protection and a stronger democratic voice.

Question 8

What are finite resources?

Answer 8

Limited supply and are being used more quickly than can be replaced
Uses should be avoided where possible and used in only small amounts for essential reasons where an alternative cannot be used

Question 9

What are non-finite resources?

Answer 9

Resources in abundant supply and unlikely to run out

Can be grown or replaced at the same rate they are being used at

Question 10

Why should companies use the Life Cycle Assessment?

Answer 10

Assess the environmental impact of a product during the different stages of the product’s life