What are the four types of production?
- Prototype or One-Off Production
- Batch Production
- Mass Production
- Continuous Production
What are the two efficiency based scales of manufacture?
- lean manufacturing
- just-in-time (JIT)
What is one-off production?
The manufacture of a single product. E.g. bridges
What is batch production?
Groups of products are produced simultaneously. E.g. baked goods
What is mass production?
The production of large quantities of products by an automated mechanical process. E.g. Coca Cola bottle
What is continuous production?
A flow production method used to manufacture, produce or process materials without interruption.
What is lean manufacture?
A production process that aims to maximise productivity whilst simultaneously minimising waste.
What is Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing?
A production model in which items are created to meet demand.
What are some characteristics of one-off production?
- smaller, more specialist companies
- a skilled workforce
- high quality products
- more expensive products
What are advantages and disadvantages of one-off production?
- high quality finish
- can be made to exact customer requirements
BUT - slow manufacturing process
- special materials often require special manufacturing techniques
- expensive
What are some characteristics of batch production?
- flexible machinery and labour that can easily be adapted to different products
- increase and decrease manufacture to suit demand
- jigs and CNC machining can be used for repeated tasks
- the time between manufacture of batches is called down-time.
What are advantages and disadvantages of batch production?
- batches can be repeated
- money saved by bulk-buying materials
- good finish
BUT - set-up is time consuming
- costly manufacturing down-time
What are some characteristics of mass production?
- fast production for high demands
- constant manufacture 24/7
- bulk buy materials
- large factories
What are advantages and disadvantages of mass production?
- fast manufacturing process
- money saved on bulk buying materials
- skilled workforce not required
- cheap
BUT - automated manufacture reduces workforce
- products cannot be changed easily
- storage costs
