IB Design Tech: Unit 4.3 - Scales of Production

What are the different scales of production?

One-off

Batch production

Mass

Continuous flow

mass customisation

What is one-off production?

one-off production is where only one or a few specialist items are required. If a prototype is made then it is usually part of the realisation of the production and so the next step after testing would be batch or volume production.

What are the advantages of one-off production?

- Unique, high quality products are made

- workers are often motivated and take pride in their work

What are the disadvantages of one-off production?

- very labour intensive, so selling prices are usually higher

- production can take a long time and can be expensive as specialist tools are required

- economies of scale are not possible, often resulting in a more expensive product

What is batch production?

Limited volume production (a set number of items to be produced)

what are the advantages of batch production?

- since larger numbers are made, unit costs are lower

- offers the customer some variety and choice

- materials can be bought in bulk, so are cheaper

what are the disadvantages of batch production?

- workers are often less motivated because work cab be repetitive

- goods have to be stored until they are stored which can be expensive

what is mass production?

The production of large amounts of standardised products on production lines, permitting very high rates of production per worker

What are the advantages of mass production?

- labour costs are usually lower/minimal

- materials can be purchased in large quantities so they are cheaper/provide excellent bargaining power

- large numbers of goods are produced

What are the disadvantages of mass production?

- machinery is very expensive to buy and set up for production lines

- workers are not motivated

- not very flexible as a production line is difficult to adapt

- production process will have to stop when repairs are made

What is continuous flow production?

a production method used to manufacture, produce or process materials without interruption, without an end date

What are the advantages of continuous flow production?

- labour costs are usually lower/minimal

- materials can be purchased in large quantities so they are cheaper/provide excellent bargaining power

- large numbers of goods are produced

What are the disadvantages of continuous flow production?

- machinery is very expensive to buy and set up for production lines

- workers are not motivated

- not very flexible as a production line is difficult to adapt

- production process will have to stop when repairs are made

What is mass customisation production?

a sophisticated CIM system that manufactures products to individual customer orders. The benefits of economy of scale are gained whether the order is for a single inter of for thousands.