The ways ICT and computers are used in industry can be broken into three sections; in the design of the product, the manufacture itself and then in the marketing of a product.
ICT in Design
CAD - Computer Aided Design
Programs such as 2D design, ProDesktop and Google SketchUp are all examples of CAD software. These are pieces of software that allow the user to design their products on the computer. Advantages: no waste materials, instant changes and developments, can be sent virtually for people around the world to work on. |
Rapid Prototyping
3D CAD files can be downloaded and printed. There are several ways of doing this these are two examples; Layered Object Modelling - the 3D files is split into layers that will be cut out of card - these are then glued together and sanded to shape. Stereo-Lithographic Modelling - models are built of ABS or a corn starch polymer. It is then built up in a series of layers overs time. These machines are widely referred to as 3D Printing. Watch this video. Advantages: very quick, detailed, scale models, cheaper may to check ergonomic features than creating a one off product. |
Virtual Reality Modelling
This is where realistic, 3D CAD drawings can be sent to potential customers or clients for feedback. The models can be placed into environments, for example onto desks/tables to check how their size or scale works or into restaurant settings. Advantages: no waste materials, instant changes and developments, can be sent virtually for people around the world to work on, colour changes or texture changes are instant. |
CIM - Computer-Integrated Manufacture
The design process in your folders follows a linear structure in terms of, you research, design and then make and consider marketing. It is easy to this as it is just one person in control, so at no stage is information misunderstood or forgotten.
However, in industry the whole departments of people are involved and responsible for many different tasks, this means that many problems can start to occur, such as misinterpretation of instructions or briefs, the design may be to complex or difficult to manufacture, the materials and production could become to expensive to produce at the set price. This then results in a product that is unusable, not viable to create or doesn't meet the market need.
CIM means that at all stages of design, development and manufacture all parties are involved at all stages, they share information and update regularly through databases.
It can also be used in Just In Time production - to reorder materials when the stock gets low or distribute stocks to other areas when needed.
Advantages: no miscommunication or wasted resources/materials, closer team with better knowledge of the product.
The design process in your folders follows a linear structure in terms of, you research, design and then make and consider marketing. It is easy to this as it is just one person in control, so at no stage is information misunderstood or forgotten.
However, in industry the whole departments of people are involved and responsible for many different tasks, this means that many problems can start to occur, such as misinterpretation of instructions or briefs, the design may be to complex or difficult to manufacture, the materials and production could become to expensive to produce at the set price. This then results in a product that is unusable, not viable to create or doesn't meet the market need.
CIM means that at all stages of design, development and manufacture all parties are involved at all stages, they share information and update regularly through databases.
It can also be used in Just In Time production - to reorder materials when the stock gets low or distribute stocks to other areas when needed.
Advantages: no miscommunication or wasted resources/materials, closer team with better knowledge of the product.
CAE - Computer Aided Engineering
Computers are used to create CAD models of components - these can then be tested to find potential problem areas when they are working. For example if you were designing a series of gears or to check weight bearing these can be simulated and tested without having physical components.
Computers are used to create CAD models of components - these can then be tested to find potential problem areas when they are working. For example if you were designing a series of gears or to check weight bearing these can be simulated and tested without having physical components.
ICT in Manufacture
CAM - Computer Aided Manufacture
This covers a range of different machines, basically it means any piece of equipment that is programmed by a computer to move in a certain way, for example; to cut at the desired times. Advantages: quicker than traditional hand crafting, highly accurate, creates identical pieces, economies of scale. CNC - Computer Numerical Control Machines such as the Laser Cutter or CNC Router, the movements are guided by the computer, it tells the cutting tool where to cut and how deep to cut. |
Robotics
The robots are in charge of performing specific tasks and are set up on a production line. These are becoming more advanced, now instead of just doing basic tasks, e.g. packing 6 cola bottles into a crate, they also have sensors fitted. These sensors will trigger when certain requirements aren't met - e.g. the average weight of an item would indicate a missing item or breakage, or it might be to check if alignment is correct before cutting a sheet. Watch a video of a Kia Sportage being built using robotics. |
Advantages: robots can quickly and effectively move items, processes are accurately completed, processes are identical, faults can be found quickly, mundane tasks that humans would not enjoy can be done easily and efficiently by robots, physically taxing jobs where humans would risk injury can be completed easily, they can operate in hazardous work areas e.g. nuclear areas.
Disadvantages: high set up costs - programming is a skilful task that is expensive, robots can't work in as tighter spaces as humans, swapping of tools is fairly time consuming and often requires reprogramming, in breakdowns wholes production lines can be shut down if one robot isn't functioning, the loss of human jobs.
Disadvantages: high set up costs - programming is a skilful task that is expensive, robots can't work in as tighter spaces as humans, swapping of tools is fairly time consuming and often requires reprogramming, in breakdowns wholes production lines can be shut down if one robot isn't functioning, the loss of human jobs.
ICT in Marketing
JIT - Just In Time
This is where a company buys the materials and gets them delivered to the factory just in time for them to be used and made into products. Once made the products are sent as new materials come in, for example cars, electrical products.
This is where a company buys the materials and gets them delivered to the factory just in time for them to be used and made into products. Once made the products are sent as new materials come in, for example cars, electrical products.
QRM - Quick Response Marketing
Due to the quick changes in fashion the market also needs to be able to change. For this reason many companies operate on a make to order approach. This avoids storage costs but means the customer may have to wait longer as there isn't a product readily available.
Due to the quick changes in fashion the market also needs to be able to change. For this reason many companies operate on a make to order approach. This avoids storage costs but means the customer may have to wait longer as there isn't a product readily available.
EPOS - Electronic Point Of Sale
Most products for sale are marked with a bar code. These are then scanned at an EPOS machine. This means that individual items can be tracked from end of manufacture, to distribution, to shop and finally to sale.
This is essential for JIT production and QRM. It means that products don't need to be stored as only the essential amount of products are released at a time based on the stock currently held for example by the store.
Most products for sale are marked with a bar code. These are then scanned at an EPOS machine. This means that individual items can be tracked from end of manufacture, to distribution, to shop and finally to sale.
This is essential for JIT production and QRM. It means that products don't need to be stored as only the essential amount of products are released at a time based on the stock currently held for example by the store.
Kanban
This is where parts are stored in containers, these container have small cards (Kanbans) with the part name or description and the quantity, when this container is opened and the parts begin to be used, the Kanban is removed and put in a chute, this is then picked up by store workers who will then reorder the parts. This process can also be computerised, through the scanning of these cards - like the EPOS system.
This is where parts are stored in containers, these container have small cards (Kanbans) with the part name or description and the quantity, when this container is opened and the parts begin to be used, the Kanban is removed and put in a chute, this is then picked up by store workers who will then reorder the parts. This process can also be computerised, through the scanning of these cards - like the EPOS system.
MPS - Master Production Schedule
This is a schedule that sets the the time periods for making an item, for example cars are made to their customers own specifications e.g. body colour, interior, accessories, so an MPS would be used to prioritise which sections would need prioritising to make that vehicle on time.
This is a schedule that sets the the time periods for making an item, for example cars are made to their customers own specifications e.g. body colour, interior, accessories, so an MPS would be used to prioritise which sections would need prioritising to make that vehicle on time.
Telematics
This is where a product is tracked from assembly to dispatch. This is a small wireless device that feeds back to a computer about the processes being undertaking, for example on cars - this will register how the car is performing and during manufacture may be used to show which operators have installed different sectors or show customer specifications e.g. car radio or bluetooth. More recently it is being used alongside apps to show users how well they are driving.
This is where a product is tracked from assembly to dispatch. This is a small wireless device that feeds back to a computer about the processes being undertaking, for example on cars - this will register how the car is performing and during manufacture may be used to show which operators have installed different sectors or show customer specifications e.g. car radio or bluetooth. More recently it is being used alongside apps to show users how well they are driving.