Production Techniques (Lean, JIT, FMS)

Question 1

What is FMS?

Answer 1

Flexible manufacturing systems
- a manufacturing process that can be modified at different points to produce different quantities or different parts for production

Question 2

Why is FMS flexible ?

Answer 2

The machines in the process can be reprogrammed to change their tasks and production can be changed to produce more or less parts

Question 3

What is JIT?

Answer 3

Just in time manufacturing
- materials or parts are delivered just before they are needed

Question 4

How does JIT work ?

Answer 4

1. It’s triggered by a customer order
2. The correct amounts of materials are then ordered in to cover the order and arrive when needed for production

Question 5

What are the advantages of JIT?

Answer 5

• saves money on storage
• reduces waste
• ensures no money wasted producing stock that will remain unsold

Question 6

What is the major issue/ disadvantage with JIT ?

Answer 6

If any part of the product cannot be sourced clients have to wait for their order be produced

Question 7

What is lean manufacturing ?

Answer 7

• a Japanese concept that minimizes costs and maximizes efficiency by cutting down on waste and the amount of materials and energy used

Question 8

How is lean manufacturing actually done ?

Answer 8

• Adapting designs and making changes to the production process
• Eg reducing waste- packaging net could be designed to include a tessellating pattern
• Or to improve efficiency changes overtime between production runs could be reduced