Technology in Manufacturing

Input - Raw materials, tools, and equipment

Process - Change in the imput to create and output (measuring, cutting, forming)

Output - Result of the system (finished product)

Automation - Use of machines to do a task atomatically without a lot human imput

-Increases speed, no rest time, cheaper, high accuracy, consistancy, dangerous situations, easily progamable, can learn,

-Robots could replace humans (fewer jobs, very expensive to buy, can't do human judgment

Smart Technology - connects machines together using other machines and sensors which allow data to be shared

-Smart machines use the data to organise what tasks need to be done, without using human imput. Smart machines recieve data about stock levels to make sure they don't run out of components.

-SM can be use the internet to recieve and process a customers order

-Tracking can be done automatically using tags on each box of material, tool, or product. When the tags are scanned or detected it updates to the computer system.

-Tracking provides monitisation of stock levels, the movment of products, and the number of products being made

-Humans workers can use telephone, e-mail, video-conferencing, and other internet communication systems.

-Workers can use devices to recieve infomation. A device can direct them around a warehouse using the most effecient route to collect a customers order.

-Factories are being designed to incorprate smart technology and to minimise their enviromental impact.

-Modular components can be taken apart, moved, or added to in factories.

-Technological advances can lead to a reduced need for room which means large factories can move into smaller local spaces.

Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) consist of a set of different machines which carry out different stages of productoin. These computer-controled automated systems transport materials through the different processes and eventually store the finished produce.

-They are easy to adapt and fairly quick and straightforward to change the system if the design is altered.

-Japanese aproach to manufacturing which aims to minimise the amount of reasorses used and waste produced.

-Minimises costs and maximises efficiency.

-JIT (just in time) - materials and components are delivered as they're needed and used as soon as they are delivered. This reduces storage space, and no money is wasted in materials that arnt being used. Money can be lost if componets arn't delivred on time