Technical Considerations

Question 1

Mechanisation

Answer 1

- Mechanisation Refers to the application of science and knowledge that enables people to do new things or perform established tasks in new and better ways.

• Established technology such as CNC routers & Laser cutters to undertake the transformation process.
• CNC Routers

(CNC routers and 3D Printing )

1. CAD Increases the accuracy and precision of production methods – Increasing quality – reduced wastage – COST & QUALITY.
2. Robotics leads to a reduction of labour costs due to Capital Labor substitution – long term cost efficiencies – COST.

HOWEVER

1. CAD requires High initial outlay → Negatively impacting S.T costs – COSTS
2. Redundancy costs associated with employees who are replaced by Robotics → Impact staff morale and productivity

Question 2

Specialisation

Answer 2

- Specialising in the production of one specific product or service.

Specialisation is seen within timber industries through manfacturing standardised furniture such as hall tables and chairs.

1. Product quality will be at a higher level, through providing low variety.
2. More time and effort can be put into the product to ensure it is of a high quality through standardisation.

HOWEVER

1. Workers can become less motivated as they always do the same thing. To avoid is to outsource certain tasks to other companies.

Question 3

Mass production

Answer 3

- Mass production refers to a product which is mass produced, each part is produced in masses and assembled in masses.

This can be seen in

1. High levels of effectiveness to produce one item, therefore increasing production speed. thus satisfying customers.
2. Training employees is a low expense, and not time consuming as there is a low variety of tasks needs to be done.

HOWEVER

1. Due to Workers doing the same tasks repetitively, there can be boredom and lower productivity.
2. Low worker moral, and higher levels of absenteeism.

Question 4

Automation

Answer 4

- Refers to the making a process automatic. This includes the application of science and knowledge that enables people to do new things or perform established tasks in new and better ways.

1. Established Technologies (CNC routers/3D Printing)

Established Technologies (CNC routers/3D Printing)

1. 3D priniting Increases the accuracy and precision of production methods – Increasing quality – reduced wastage – COST & QUALITY.
2. Robotics leads to a reduction of labour costs due to Capital Labor substitution – long term cost efficiencies – COST.

HOWEVER

1. CNC requires High initial outlay → Negatively impacting S.T costs – COSTS
2. Redundancy costs associated with employees who are replaced by Robotics → Impact staff morale and productivity

Question 5

Emerging Technologies

Answer 5

• Address the verb and asnwer Question
• Before this, define technology.
• After defining, SUCH AS,

(CNC Routing)

Utilizing CNC allows a company to perform repetitive tasks with high accuracy and precision, reducing employee workload and time to produce – resulting in higher profit margins. Whether you need to scale up or you are just starting out, PROBOTIX can power your production at the fraction of the price of traditional proprietary class CNC tools.

CNC routers are used for quick intermittent cuts on high speeds. A router is the best choice for wood thanks to being able to reach high speeds quickly

1. Increases the accuracy and precision of production methods – Increasing quality – reduced wastage – COST & QUALITY.
2. Reduces defects – Warranty claims – Improved COSTs.

HOWEVER

1. Time and cost of training or retraining employees – Decreased productivity – SPEED & COSTS.
2. Installation and set-up of new technology – Decreased efficiency – decreased lead times – SPEED.

Question 6

3D Printing

Technologies used in manufacturing industries/timber industries.

Answer 6

• Address the verb and asnwer Question
• Before this, define technology.
• After defining, SUCH AS,

3D Printing - Manufacturing industries/timber industries.

Adopting digital manufacturing tools to take steps towards the promise of Industry. 3D printing is a catalyst for efficiency.

3D printing also allows manufacturers to prototype more successfully, as they can print a new model/part with every advancement or amendment of the design, through a simple tweak on the software, printed instantly.

3D printing also allows for incredible volumes to be produced in a short time frame. Top quality 3D printing solutions to produce more than 50,000 personalised moulds each day, and anticipates printing nearly 20 million mouth molds over the next 12 months alone.

• 3D Printing

1. Improves efficiency & productivity in the transformation process – improved lead times – SPEED
2. Leads to a reduction of labour costs due to Capital Labor substitution – long term cost efficiencies – COST.

HOWEVER

1. High inital outlay for operations managment.
2. Redundancy costs associated with employees who are replaced by Robotics → Impact staff morale and productivity