Production

Production

1. Batch production

   • Advantages
     • It reduces the cost of setting up the machines as the machines can be used to create several products
     • Production can be stopped without large repercussions
   • What is it?
     • Batch production is a technique used in manufacturing, where a product is created stage by stage over a series of workstations, and different batches of products are made.
   • Disadvantages
     • Equipment must be stopped, re-configured, and the product must be tested before the next batch can be produced

2. Mass production

   • What is it?
     • the production of large amounts of products, including and especially on assembly lines.
   • Advantages
     • The worker spends little or no time retrieving and/or preparing materials and tools, and so the time taken to manufacture a product using mass production is shorter than when using traditional methods.
     • The probability of human error and variation is also reduced, as tasks are predominantly carried out by machinery.
   • Disadvantages
     • It is inflexible because it is difficult to alter a design or production process after a production line is implemented.
     • All products produced on one production line will be identical or very similar, and introducing variety to satisfy individual tastes is not easy

3. One off production

   • What is it?
     • a single product is designed and made to a client's specification
   • Advantages
     • Allows for a high standard of quality control
     • Products can be sold at high price
     • Each product made will be unique, like no other
     • Meets customer's exact requirements
   • Disadvantages
     • Labour Intensive
     • Expensive
     • Only one product can be made at a time (time consuming)

4. Continuous flow production

   • What is it?
     • a flow production method used to manufacture, produce, or process materials without interruption.
   • Advantages
     • it maximises production as it is done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
     • it eliminates the extra cost of starting and stopping the production process
   • Disadvantages
     • expensive to install production lines
     • Low flexibility in changing products
     • High receptiveness to malfunctions since a single fault can stop the entire course of production