Modern and industrial scales of practice

• what are the 4 scales of production?

  • one off production
  • batch production
  • mass/line production
  • continuous production
• what is one off production

  products that are manufactured for a single situation - higher quality item
• what is batch production

  when a set number of items are produced - coloured pencils
• what is mass production

  when items are made in large amounts in very high volume - advanced machinery for more expensive items
• what is continuous production

  when the production line runs 24/7 because the product is needed - milk cartons
• what is unit production system (usp)

  used for textile products - an overhead transport system that the products hang from which decreases handling which improves the quality of the good
• what is vertical house production

  an arrangement in which the supply chain of a company is owned by that company
• what is JIT

  just in time - when products are delivered to manufacturers as they are used
• what are computers used for in manufacturing

  robotic production, 3D printing, laser cutting
• what is modular/cell production


  when manufacturing cells are set up to combine a number of CNC machines
• what are 1st generation robots

  respond to a pre program and will carry on regardless of external changes
• what are 2nd generation robots

  fitted with sensors which feedback information to a computer
• what are 3rd generation robots

  use advanced ai and sensors - can detect changes in the environment and can modify its working program
• what are the three main programming methods for robots

  • teach pendant
  • walkthrough
  • off line
• what is teach pendant


  pendant is used to guide the robot through a series of moves
• what is walkthrough

  when a robot is physically taken through the process which a computer records the process
• what is off line


  using virtual reality to program the robot
• what is QRM

  quick response manufacturing
• what is FMS

  flexible manufacturing systems - use machines which are organised into cells
• what is CIM

  computer integrated manufacture - bring elements of the design process together (under computer control)
• what is sub-assembly manufacturing

  when all parts of a product are made separately and assembled one all parts are completed