Scales Of Production Flashcards
What are the different types of scale production?
There are 4 which are:
- one off
- batch
- mass
- continuous production
Bespoke items - what they are and what classed as
- bespoke items that are designed for, commissioned by etc individual clients are classified as one off products
- might be made to perform a specific task and cannot be bought off the shelf
- only one item is generally made, although if a dining room table and a set of 6 chairs were made, still classified as one off production
One off production
When product is being developed designers will make a prototype
These are one off versions and are used to test out ideas and to get feedback from clients
Usually products for TV / theatre / weddings / art.
Very labour intensive
Usually handmade
Takes time
Expensive
Batch production
Used when a certain number of identical products are required. - all produced together.
One batch could contain a large or small number of products
Higher level of automation than one off
Lead time
Short lead time to get products to market
Manufactures need to respond quickly to changes in market trends in orders - usually in batch production
Mass production
Tend to be items that are in constant use and where the design does not change significantly
Examples include drinks / food containers, electronic products, mobile phones, cars etc
Highly automated
High volume of goods being produced means high set up costs of specialised production line equipment and tooling can be quickly recovered and unit price be kept low
Continuous production
Similar to mass production although products tend to be made to create stock or standard material forms before final processing or assembling elsewhere
Factory operate up to 24 hrs a day 7 days a week
Staff mainly low skilled and operate in shifts
Products made rely on high levels of automation and this type of factory normally makes limited range of products which saves potential changes to production line, avoiding downtime
