Studied by 10 people
Production Systems
Craft production
A small-scale production process centred on manual skills.
Production Systems
Mechanized production
A volume production process involving machines controlled by humans.
Production Systems
Automated Production
A volume production process involving machines controlled by production computers
Production Systems
One-off production
Is an individual product or a prototype for larger-scale production.
One-off production adv/dv
Advantages
Highly customisable to consumers needs.
Flexibility for the designer and consumer.
Allow for testing of prototypes before continuous flow production.
Disadvantages
Can be expensive as any tools or machinery needed are included in the final cost.
Time consuming if craft manufacturing techniques are used
May be that the product is not designed for disassembly (DfD) there are no interchangeable parts.
Production Systems
Batch Production
Batch production is a manufacturing method used to produce or process any product in batches, as opposed to a continuous production process, or an one-off production.
Batch Production Adv/Dv
Advantages
Cheaper than one-off production (economies of scale).
Customisable products but not as highly as one-off production.
Easily adjust to market demands or seasonal items
Greater consumer choice (e.g. Swatch watches).
For smaller or upstart companies that can’t afford continuous flow production.
It can reduce initial capital outlay because a single production line can be used to produce several products.
Disadvantages
Down time between productions runs when retooling.
Products have to be stored raising the costs per item.
Production Systems
Mass Production
The production of large amounts of standardized products on production lines, permitting very high rates of production per worker.
Production Systems
Continuous Flow Production
Continuous flow is a production method used to manufacture, produce or process materials without interruption.
Continuous Flow Production adv/dv
Advantages
Cheaper than other production methods (economies of scale).
If a part or product needs replacing consumer is assured that it still exists (e.g. bic pens).
Lack of inventory which reduces storage costs.
Disadvantages
Standard products so less choice for the consumer.
Automated production is high in initial costs
Training of staff to run machines and CIM
Mass customization
A CIM system that manufactures products to individual customer needs or wants.
Mass Cutomization adv/dv
Advantages
Economies of scale are achieved even for small orders
Highly customisable to consumer needs or likes
Disadvantages
Long layover time from with product is customised to reaching the consumer.
Very high initial capital costs
Special training for employees
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Product characteristics
Complexity, features, design, product family, etc
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Staff skills
High tech skills for automation.
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Financial Considerations
Is it cost effective to produce, profits, etc
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Material characteristics
Plastics are suited to continuos flow production more than say certain metals or other materials.
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Size of market
Mont Blanc pens are geared to a market segment which is small whereas Bic pens target are wider market for cheap disposable pens.
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Nature of market
Such as the variety of products expected by the consumer such as Swatch watches.
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Desired manufacturing processes
Injection moulding is suited to continuos flow production because it an be fully automated and use cheap thermoplastics
Selecting an appropriate scale of production
Desired production scale
Such as one-off, batch or continuos.
Note 
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