Scale of Production

One off

• one at a time
• clients specifications
• unique features
• more expensive or exclusive materials
• time consuming
• hand crafted production and finishing

Batch

• 10-1000 products at a time
• flexible tooling machinery and workforce
• fast turnaround
• CIM machines so that down time can be kept at a minimum.

Flexible Manufacturing systems is intended for batch production to ensure that efficient use of manufacturing is processes is used while still being flexible enough to respond to other jobs.

Choosing Scale of Production

• number of products or units manufactured
• choice of materials and components
• processes
• plannin, JIT and ICT systems
• production costs