1.6 Modern and industrial scales of practice

Scale of production

The consideration of the number of products to be made, using particular manufacturing methods to suit a particular market.

One-Off/Bespoke Production

one product is made at a time

could be a prototype or an object made for a specific customer

Requires more time and high skill

cost of each product is high

Batch production

a manufacturing operation that produces goods in large batches in standard lot sizes

Mass (Line) Production

Production that is usually automated since such a large quantity is being made

unit production systems (UPS)

Used in textile manufacture, uses overhead transporter systems to convey garments between work stations. Can be manually operated or computer controlled.

Lead time

the amount of time taken to respond to orders for apart or a product

Quick response manufacturing (QRM)

Method of reducing lead time, based on going through the design process to meet customer needs quickly. The needs of the customer id given very high priority

Vertical in-house production

An arrangement in which the supply chain of a company is owned by that company, companies need to decide to what extent they will use external suppliers for parts. This method minimisers the need for external suppliers.

efficient use of materials

essential to ensure cost effective and profitable production

Just in Time (JiT)

A system that calls for subassemblies and components to be manufactured in very small lots and delivered to the next stage of the production process just as they are needed.

accuracy in production

Automated machinery ensures the most accurate production so CNC machines can be used since they are flexible over specific machines

Computer systems for planning and control

control software uses mathematical calculations to plan schedules within a production

barcodes and radio frequenct identification (RFID)

transfer information to computer sytems during production or retail when scanned

integrated circuit (IC)

can be in RFID's that communicate information both ways when scanned

modular/cell production

computer controlled manufacturing cells are set up, combining CNC machines into a group so production is continuous and moves along using robotic arms.

flexible manufacturing systems

uses modular/cell production and other systems to facilitate the easy transfer of production from one part being made to another.

single minute exchange (SMED)

facilitates the quick change of dies within a machine for the demand of different parts

electronic point of sale (EPOS)

Computer system for storage, records the sale of products and feeds this information to warehouses for stocking information

computer integrated manufacture (CIM)

used to describe the use of computer systems to control all stages of bringing a product to market from design. Involves many stages.

standardised components

parts such as screws and light bulbs that are made to a common standard to ensure interchangeability, used within production

bought in components

Using standard components allows for the interchangeability of parts within products and design

sub assemblies

groups of parts that are preassembled and brought into a larger group of parts as a single unit - mostly standard components that are bought in

changing standards

Companies may have to make changes to their standards for legal reasons, competitivity with other designs/companies, or technological advancements

division of labour

the efficient organisation of a workforce so that individuals specialise in particular manufacturing tasks