Scales of Production
Advantages:
For the customer - they receive a totally unique piece, often designed to their own specification so it perfectly fits their wants or needs.
For the company - they have a skilled workforce as more than likely the item will be hand crafted or will need designers to operate new designs on CAD/CAM.
For the workers - they are challenged to create something this will more than likely enthuse them to create something high standard
Disadvantages:
For the customer - usually very expensive as all the materials will not have been bought with economies of scale, the customer is also likely to be paying for the cost of making a template, mould or die, even scrap material (think about laser cutting something, if you only needed a keyring on red acrylic you would have to order a full sheet for that one piece).
Also this process will take more time than any other production method.
For the company - Reduces the amount of projects a company can take at a time as their staff will quickly get tied up in jobs.
For the customer - they receive a totally unique piece, often designed to their own specification so it perfectly fits their wants or needs.
For the company - they have a skilled workforce as more than likely the item will be hand crafted or will need designers to operate new designs on CAD/CAM.
For the workers - they are challenged to create something this will more than likely enthuse them to create something high standard
Disadvantages:
For the customer - usually very expensive as all the materials will not have been bought with economies of scale, the customer is also likely to be paying for the cost of making a template, mould or die, even scrap material (think about laser cutting something, if you only needed a keyring on red acrylic you would have to order a full sheet for that one piece).
Also this process will take more time than any other production method.
For the company - Reduces the amount of projects a company can take at a time as their staff will quickly get tied up in jobs.
Batch Production
This could be used for runs of hundreds to thousands for example decorative pieces e.g. vases, where style will change. This is one of the most used methods of production.
More specialist equipment is used and automation begins as the need for identical products is very high as each product made should be exactly the same as the previous. As a result Quality Assurance techniques are used, for example; jigs, templates, moulds, formers and dies.
This could be used for runs of hundreds to thousands for example decorative pieces e.g. vases, where style will change. This is one of the most used methods of production.
More specialist equipment is used and automation begins as the need for identical products is very high as each product made should be exactly the same as the previous. As a result Quality Assurance techniques are used, for example; jigs, templates, moulds, formers and dies.
Advantages:
For the customer - cost is more reduced than at one off production, For the company - companies can switch products easily and produce to demand, for example if a particular type isn't selling well they can scale back production and make something else until demand picks up For the workers - the lines are changed over frequently which will give workers some difference in their schedule Disadvantages: For the customer - can be a slight wait for products as companies will often only produce to demand For the company - you need to be able to switch lines quickly, this means having a reliable source of materials or being able to hold a large amount of stock. |
Mass Production
These are products made in runs of tens of thousands. For examples screws and bolts. Mass production is more difficult to define now as many products made and consumed are developed over time and improved and thus the production is changed.
With trends changing at least every year products also must adapt and change. The majority of products now are made subject to demand, if that demand drops then the production stops.
These are products made in runs of tens of thousands. For examples screws and bolts. Mass production is more difficult to define now as many products made and consumed are developed over time and improved and thus the production is changed.
With trends changing at least every year products also must adapt and change. The majority of products now are made subject to demand, if that demand drops then the production stops.
Advantages:
For the customer - often cheaper and more readily available. For the company - moulds, formers and dies are used and reused, creating numerous products, until they fail. Companies can then just remake existing forming pieces from existing patterns - without the expense of designing and testing new ones. Companies can also buy in bulk and achieve good economies of sale due to a reliable demand. For the workers - they become experts and can specialise in certain processes as they will always be repeating the job. Disadvantages: For the customer - many people will own the same product. For the company - if a product is no longer fashionable then money will be lost converting the production line into something else. For the workers - job is repetitive and often fairly easily developed into robotics completing the task as a repeated task may require little intuition or adaptation. |
Continuous
This is where products are continually made, e.g. paper.
The demand for the product must be very high and not likely to diminish over time.
This is where products are continually made, e.g. paper.
The demand for the product must be very high and not likely to diminish over time.