1.6 Scales of Production

Define one-off, bespoke production

One-off, bespoke production refers to the creation of unique, customized items or products tailored to individual specifications, typically crafted as a singular or limited edition piece.

Give examples of products that undergo one-off, bespoke production

• a luxury custom-made yacht for a wealthy businessperson

• a chair for a child with a serious physical disability

• a peronalised wedding cake

• a violin for a virtuoso player with specific requirements.

What are the effects of one-off, bespoke production?

All products will be more expensive and are likely to be more difficult to produce than products made on a larger scale. This is because:

• Individual client consultation and design work is required.

• More skilled workers are likely to be required for manufacture.

• Each manufacturing process has to be set up individually for each of the unique components.

• Greater time is required for manufacture.

• There will be no economies of scale for materials as there would be with large-scale production.

Define batch production

Batch production makes a specific number of the same items all at once.

What are the effects of batch production?

• improved efficiency

• saves time

• cost-effective

.

Give examples of products that undergo batch production

• pottery

• wooden furniture

• high-quality loudspeakers

• jet engines.

Define mass/line production

'Division of labour' is the term used to describe dividing up the tasks needed in order to mass produce a product in large quantities, using a sequence of stages as it proceeds through the manufacturing process.Results in optimised efficiency of manufacture.

Give examples of products that undergo mass/line production

• cars

• clothing

• bicycles

• printed circuit boards (PCBs)

• mobile phones

• cameras

• TVS

• ready meals

• self-assembly furniture

Define unit production systems (UPS)

Unit production systems (UPS) are used extensively in the manufacture of textile products and are based on the principle of using an overhead transporter system, incorporating appropriate hanging carriers, to convey the components that are required for the manufacture of a garment between workstations.

This movement is sometimes manually operated, but is often computer controlled, and requires very careful organisation and synchronisation to ensure that it works efficiently.

What are the advantages of unit production?

Reduces the number of handling operations and facilitates the optimal use of labour and equipment, while improving the quality of products.

Define quick response manufacturing (QRM)

One of the methods for reducing lead-time is known as quick response manufacturing (QRM), which is a strategy for drastically reducing the time between a product being a concept and being completed.

What are the aims of quick response manufacturing for the customer?

The whole QRM strategy is focused on going through the design process and developing products to meet a customer's needs quickly. As the design process is a creative one that needs plenty of time, however, this is a significant change in approach. The needs of the customer are given very high priority throughout the design and production process, and quality is still important.

Define vertical in-house production

Vertical in-house production (also known as vertical integration) is an arrangement in which the supply chain of a company is owned by that company.

Those that opt for vertical in-house production set up their manufacturing in such a way that they minimise the need for external suppliers and organise their factories to include the facilities required to manufacture what is required.

What are the advantages of vertical in-house production?

• reduction in the risk of unexpected price increases for components

• less susceptibility to suppliers going out of business

• protection of their brand and improved security of intellectual property

rights (IPR)

• easier implementation of quality assurance (QA) strategies

What are the disadvantages of vertical in-house production?

• reduction in specialisation, potentially leading to dilution of expertise

• increase in administration

• reduction in flexibility