scales of production

SCALES

as demand changes production methods adapt and change to support, as production levels increase consistency in need, jigs and templates are used to increase reproducibility. around 1760 the industrial revolution occurred which increased automated production and created production lines

bespoke/one-off - these are tailor made pieces made once for a specific client, they take lots of time and skill and can be labour intensive, this causes a higher price for production and purchase. one-off production allows high quality material to be used for a unique piece, this uses close communication but a high cost per unit

batch production - this uses jigs, templates and patterns to creates sets of a product that are all accurate and the same, it can also utilise CAD/CAM, it is used for limited time runs, that can nee seasonal or trendy often up to 100,000. this method uses a simples production line with automation and often an FMS to allow quick change, with medium set up costs and a medium cost per unit

mass/line production - this is used for products that are sold in large quantities or in bulk, they have a large production line with a high set-up cost and lots of automation but the cost per unit is low, it can be used for food and packaging, mass production is often run non-stop over night and requires expensive machinery. skilled workers are needed for maintenance and unskilled workers for operation

continuous production is used for products that are needed all the time, this has a very low cost per unit and is used for essential items such as paper

PRODUCTION METHODS

to increase efficiency production methods can change in response to market pulls or technological pushes, a reduction in the lead time means you are ahead when you reach a market, you can also cut costs to undercut others

lean production - this uses the Japanese principle of kaizen (continuous improvement) to better a product, introduced by Toyota where you try to reduce of reproduction, waiting times, transportation, over processing, excessive inventory, unnecessary motion and defects in the final product to overall increase efficiency. it also uses the TIMWOODS principle; Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Overproduction, Overprocessing, Defects, and Skills

UPS production - unit production system uses overhead tracks to move pieces around a factory from different processing sights, it allows workflow to be control and streamlines assembly as parts are sent where they are needed, it can be automated and can be logged for better quality control

QRM production - quick response manufacturing is where you focus on reduce it lead times by kick-off meetings and good communication, production is triggered but demand and reaction is quick with TBD (time-based competition). QRM uses research to respond for efficiently to market pulls and fashion. and lots of flexibility for quick change to increase added value as efficiently as you can

vertical production - where companies agglomerate into one company to allow in-house production and reduce outsourcing, this means you have fixed and controlled prices that are reliable as you own them and transparent quality. however there may be a lack of skills as the company becomes so wide. also there is a larger spread of capital and administration/management requiring more resources. an example of this is Microsoft who has bought many companies to build its brand and reduce competition, it is now looking into AI and 3D gaming