3.6 technological developments

Question 1

Define automated production lines and explain 2-3 pros and cons.

Answer 1

Automated production line composes machinery and equipment arranged in a sequence where components are added to the good as it proceeds through each step, where the process is controlled by computers. (note robotics can be used).

Pros

-Allows a business to produce at faster rates compared to labor intensive production-this leads to a higher output and increased productivity.
-reduces the need for human labor which allows a business to produce at a reduced cost
-improves standardization
-minimizes waste

Cons
-high-cost forms of technology that can be unaffordable for many small and medium-scale manufacturers.
-robotics can break down, halting production.
-loss of jobs

Question 2

define robotics

Answer 2

highly specialized form of technology capable of performing complex tasks.

pros and cons save as automated production lines

Question 3

define computer aided design and list some pros and cons

Answer 3

Computer aided design: is a computerized design tool that allows a business to create product possibilities from a series of input parameters.

pros
-product designs can be produced at a faster rate, without the need for erasing and redrawing
-the designer can produce a two or three dimensional computerized version of a product. Changes can be made to this before a prototype is made. Material choices and associated costs can be explored at this stage.
-

cons
-loss of jobs
-computer software can crash, resulting in possible loss of work
-initially very expensive

Question 4

define computer aided manufacturing

Answer 4

CAM: the use of software to direct and control manufacturing process

pros
-allows a business to produce at a faster rates at a reduced cost
-allows a business to produce with greater consistency (each component or finished product will be exactly the same) a greater accuracy (free of erros)
-reduced wastage from increase in accuracy (being correct)
-less labour needed

cons
-loss of jobs
-computer software can crash, leading to prodution stopping
-initially expensive

Question 5

define AI and list some pros and cons

Answer 5

AI: using computerized systems to stimulate human intelligence and mimic human behavior. eg. H + M chatbox on their website

pros
-AI can reduce labor costs by automating tasks, as well as reducing errors that can result in costly mistakes
-AI powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide instant and personalized customer support, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction.

cons
-initially very expensive to set up
-if the system fails there could be majour disruptions to the good or service

Question 6

pros and cons online services

Answer 6

pros
-can be used to deliver consistent messages to customers and suppliers, and can be used to gain customer feedback.
-A website means that a business is accessible for sales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
-Reduces cost through potentially removing the need for physical brick and mortar stores.

cons
-large scale redundancy of employees
-operating websites and applications can require highly skilled staff who may be expensive to employ or train.
-Websites and applications can suffer outages or ‘go down’. This can be very frustrating for customers and a business may lose sales or have it’s reputation effected.