- To be able to understand to different scale of production that products are made from - To be able to select an appropriate scale of production for a product and explain its suitability

One-off (Bespoke) production Types of products Prototypes and specialist models Handmade items (Bespoke jewellery, wedding dress) Specialist engineering (Die or Mould for injection moulding or die casting Characteristics A high specialised company Small, highly skills workforce Constant communication with the client, constant discussion regarding the design Company is a specialist in a particular areas (musical instruments) Specialist materials needed (precious metals, exotic woods, etc.) Final product is expensive due to skilled labour and materials There is a high level of quality control Products are manufactured for a specialist market/client

Batch production Types of products - Furniture, Electrical goods, clothes, newspapers Characteristics A production line is set up and used The workers are semi-skilled or unskilled Each worker completed one task and passed the product down the line to the next The workers often must be able to switch from one part of the line to another. This is called a flexible workforces. The production line can be changed quickly so that different products can be made. Often individual components of the product are bought from other companies and the overall assembly takes place on the production line. The production line runs for a certain amount of time before the product is changed.

Mass (high volume) production Types of product - Cars and their components - Electronics components Characteristics A semi or fully automated production line is set up Relies highly on computer control Workforce for the production is semi-skilled and unskilled Some highly skilled labour is needed for training is very specific to one machine or part of the production line Production can be for a specific component or a full product A high level of investment/set up cost for machinery and equipment Training needed for workforce on the different equipment Production must stop if there is an issue in one part of the line Quality control are automated and are at every stage of the production. Sample are taken at different stages of the production

Continuous production Types of products Petrol-chemical products Food products Paper production Chemicals Building materials (bricks) Characteristics A semi or fully automated production line is set up Relies highly on computer control Workforce for the production is unskilled Some highly skilled labour is needed for training is very specific to one machine or part of the production line (no a flexible workforce) Production runs 24/7 throughout the year A high level of investment/set up cost for machinery and equipment Initial training needed for workforce but not afterwards unless new machinery is needed. Production must stop if there is an issue in one part of the line Quality control are automated and are at every stage of the production. Sample are taken at different stages of the production

One-off Batch Mass Continuous Labour cost Skill level Product cost Equipment and tooling cost Labour cost Skill level Product cost Efficiency One-off Batch Mass Continuous

Example exam question Only discuss two from the list below Discuss both materials and process that can be use in each process Only discuss two from the list below The selection of materials and processes for the manufacture of products varies according to the quantity of the product required. For two of the following scales of production explain what materials and processes could have been used in the manufacture of a product you have named. One-off production Batch production of 100 units Mass production of 10 000 units (2 x 14 marks) Have one specific product for each type of production that you can refer to (particularly with reference to the materials and processes used to make it) 14 marks for each so a lot of detail and points needed for each