manufacturing types

Manufacturing: Introduction

A manufacturing process is a way through which a company produces its goods. The production procedures are all diverse, and when employed appropriately, each has its own set of benefits. To meet demand and avoid waste, the batch manufacturing process, for example, operates in big, make-to-stock continuous runs or smaller batches. The types of the manufacturing processes, however, are generally the same regardless of implementation.

Manufacturing engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with different types of manufacturing industries (or science). Manufacturing types are also included in mechanical engineering classes. Now, we will discuss the different types of manufacturing in detail. 

Repetitive manufacturing

Repetitive manufacturing is a type of manufacturing process in which many identical products are produced in a continuous stream. This method of production is appropriate for a variety of applications and is employed in factories all over the world. Many businesses specialise in creating equipment and procedures for these types of manufacturing processes.

This type of manufacturing industry is well suited to producing items with consistent and predictable demand, such as medical supplies, food, and appliances. The corporation can continue to produce at a high rate because it knows there will be a demand for the items as they come off the line.

Batch process manufacturing

Batch production is a type of manufacturing process in which identical or comparable things are manufactured in large batches for several production runs. From vehicle doors to children’s toys, the approach permits things to be mass-produced in batches with little to large alterations to the product.

Before going on to the next step of the manufacturing process to manufacture the desired product, each batch goes through a single stage. It’s a critical tool utilised by companies of all sizes and in various sectors.

Changes between batches are possible, such as items made in various colours, sizes, and styles. This variation can be updated as the production process shifts from one batch style to another if a product has to be changed.

Continuous process manufacturing

A continuous manufacturing system is a type of manufacturing process that necessitates a steady or continuous slide of materials. Petrochemical, cement, steel, sugar, and fertiliser sectors are a few examples.

Following the creation of a master production schedule, thorough planning takes place. The bill of materials and basic manufacturing details are documented. Machine load charts, equipment, manpower, and material requirements are tabulated. Each production runs in continuous production in lot sizes, and the manufacturing process is carried out in a planned sequence of actions. Storage is not required during the process, which minimises material handling and transportation costs. In the system, the first-in-first-out technique is used.

Discrete manufacturing

Discrete manufacturing is a type of manufacturing process that uses a bill of materials (BOM) to create individual product pieces. At the end of the manufacturing process, the components are melded together to produce the finished product. Discrete manufacturing is characterised by several worksites located throughout the country or across the world that produce different pieces of a product, with each portion coming together at the end of production to form the final product.

Unlike process manufacturing types, the raw materials used in discrete manufacturing types may be recycled or returned to their original condition. Instead of convection, raw materials are often joined with nails, nuts, and bolts. Automotive, aerospace and aviation, and electronics are just a few of the industries covered.

Job shop manufacturing

Job shops are designed to produce a wide range of items in small batches, allowing for maximum flexibility. In job shop production, products frequently have multiple operation sequences, and the operating time for each operation might vary greatly. Batches of products, referred to as jobs, are delivered to job shops.

General-purpose machines are ideal for use in job shops because they can execute a wide range of processes, allowing them to produce a wide range of items in small batches. Machines that perform comparable functions are clustered together, such as lathe machines in one area and milling machines in another. Figure 1 depicts the production process at a job shop. A process or functional layout is another name for a workshop layout.

3-D Printing

3D printing is now widely recognised as the sixth type of manufacturing process by many in the industry. 3D printing, which dates back to the 1980s, employs a variety of composites and materials such as plastics and metals to create three-dimensional objects layer by layer based on a digital model rather than human labour or mechanisation. With dozens of equipment manufacturers and hundreds of thousands of 3D-printed objects currently on the market, this industry has seen tremendous growth.

While 3D printing can be costly, technology also has the potential to save money, raw resources, and waste by allowing businesses to build and test goods before investing in them on a bigger scale.

Conclusion

The world would come to a standstill if manufacturing did not exist. Every day, factories all around the world manufacture consumer goods, durable goods, commodity products, and a plethora of other commodities.

These factories can range in size from massive multi-factory operations with worldwide reach to small workshops with only a few square metres of space. They might be factories that create a variety of items or factories that only make one. They can make items with a single component or goods with thousands of components (such as vehicles or aircraft).