4.3 - Scales of Production

Craft production

A small-scale production process centred on manual skills.

Mechanized production

A volume production process involving machines controlled by humans.

Automated Production

A volume production process involving machines controlled by production computers.

One-off Production

Production of individual products or prototypes, often using craft techniques.

Advantages of One-off Production

Customizable, flexible for designer and consumer, allows testing of prototypes.

Disadvantages of One-off Production

Expensive, time-consuming, not always designed for disassembly.

Batch Production

A production method that creates a set number of items at a time, popular in bakeries and small factories.

Advantages of Batch Production

Cheaper than one-off, customizable, adapts to market demands.

Disadvantages of Batch Production

Downtime when retooling, storage costs, limited customizability.

Mass Production

Large-scale production of standardized products, used for high-volume items.

Continuous Flow Production

Production method where standardized products are continuously made without interruption.

Advantages of Continuous Flow Production

Economies of scale, no inventory storage, cheaper than other methods.

Disadvantages of Continuous Flow Production

Less consumer choice, high initial costs, staff training required.

Mass Customization

CIM system that manufactures products tailored to individual customer needs while using economies of scale.

Advantages of Mass Customization

Economies of scale, highly customizable to consumer needs.

Disadvantages of Mass Customization

High initial costs, training needed, long delivery time.

Selecting Production Scale

The choice of production scale depends on product characteristics, market size, material suitability, and financial considerations.

Customizable products examples

Nike shoes on Nikeid, customized Levi's jeans, 3D printing at Macy's.

Design stations

Places where customization, like custom apparel or sports gear, is available for customers.

Automation in production

Required for processes like injection moulding for continuous flow production.

Product characteristics influencing production

Complexity, design, family of products, and required features.

Mass Customization in global markets

Customizes global products to meet individual preferences worldwide.

Computer numerical control - CNC

A technology used to control machines through computer programs (specifically G-code), enabling precision manufacturing of complex parts.

Applications: Used primarily in manufacturing complex parts in metals, plastics, and other materials

Design for Manufacture (DfM)

DfM emphasizes designing products to make them easier and more cost-effective to manufacture, focusing on four aspects:

1. Design for Materials Material selection based on how they behave during processing.

2. Design for Process Designing with specific manufacturing processes in mind (e.g., injection molding).

3. Design for Assembly Creating products with simpler assembly steps in mind to reduce labor and time.

4. Design for Disassembly Designing products for easy breakdown and recycling, promoting sustainability and reusability.