Methods of production and technology
Methods of production
| Method | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| job | one unique item at a time | a wedding cake, a bridge |
| batch | a group of the same item, then switch | bread flavours |
| flow | non-stop on a line | drinks, cars |
| mass customisation | a flow line with customer options | cars with chosen colours |
- Job is flexible but costly per unit; flow has a low unit cost but needs high, steady demand.
Practice
Flow production is best for:
Flow production runs continuously and has a low unit cost, but needs high, steady demand.
Practice
Making a single bridge to order is an example of:
A one-off unique item is job production — flexible but costly per unit.
Sustainability and technology
- Sustainability = meeting today's needs without harming the future: cut waste, use less energy, recycle.
- Automation (machines/robots) raises output and quality and lowers cost, but has a high set-up cost and can replace jobs.
Practice
Automation can raise output and quality but has a high set-up cost and may replace jobs.
Automation improves output, quality and cost per unit, but the set-up cost is high and some jobs are lost.
You've got it
Key idea
- production methods: job (unique), batch (groups), flow (non-stop), mass customisation
- flow = low unit cost but needs steady demand; job = flexible but costly
- automation raises output/quality, lowers cost, but high set-up cost + job losses