Technology in manafacturing

Question 1

what is automation

Answer 1

the process of using machines to do a task without much or any human input

Question 2

advantages of automation

Answer 2

• robots can increase the speed of production as they’re faster than humans and don’t need rest
• robots can work with high accuracy, since they perform the same task consistently
• Less likely to make mistake, therefore can increase quality of products
• Can be used in dangerous situations

Question 3

disadvantages of automation

Answer 3

• Robots can replace human workers, so fewer jobs available
• Expensive
• Robots cannot carry out tasks that require human judgement

Question 4

what does smart technology do

Answer 4

they develop computerized machines by connecting them to other machines and sensors so they can share data
- they use this data to help organise what tasks the machine needs to do (without any human input)

Question 5

how can materials, tools, equipment and products be tracked

Answer 5

• automatically (by tagging each box of material, tool etc), the tags can be scanned and detected as it moves around

Question 6

why is it good to track the location of materials etc

Answer 6

• to monitor stock levels in raw materials and components

Question 7

how can information be passed around in factories

Answer 7

• using smart machines
• phone, email, video conference
• tablets/ other devices to guide them around a warehouse

Question 8

what is flexible manufacturing system (FMS)

Answer 8

• consists of a set of different machines which carry out different stages of production. These automated systems transport materials through different processes then store the finished product

Question 9

advantages of FMS

Answer 9

• easy to adapt
• quick and straightforward to change

Question 10

types of manufacture

Answer 10

• flexible manufacturing system
• Lean manufacture

Question 11

what is lean manufacture

Answer 11

a type of manufacture that aims to minimise the amount of resources used and waste produced
- aims to minimise cost and maximise efficiency

Question 12

what is the just in time system

Answer 12

a type of manufacture system where materials and components are delivered when they’re needed and are used as soon as they’re delivered

Question 13

advantages of JIT

Answer 13

• reduces the amount of space needed for storage of materials and finished products - saves money
• Less money spent on materials that aren’t being used

Question 14

disadvantages of JIT

Answer 14

• System relies on products being delivered on time, they might be late
• If the materials have faults, there won’t be time to return them
• money could be lost

Question 15

what is an input

Answer 15

all of the materials, tools and equipment you started off with

Question 16

what is an output

Answer 16

what the result of the system is

Question 17

whats the process

Answer 17

what happens to the input to change it into an output