1. - 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 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