Product Design: ICT in Manufacturing

Question 1

Define the term “Scale of Production”

Answer 1

Products are made in a range of quantities: from one-off to large-scale production runs depending on the demand for the product. The numbers produced indicate the scale of the production for the product.

Question 2

Define One-off or Bespoke production

Answer 2

One-off or Bespoke refers to a product that has been designed and manufactured for a single, specific situation. For example, a pair of shoes that are designed for someone with a disability will be one-off produced.

Question 3

Define Batch production

Answer 3

Things that are batched produced are produced in numbered groups of a specific amount. These amounts can range from just a few to several thousand.

Question 4

Define Mass production

Answer 4

Mass production or high volume production is used for products that need to be produced in high volumes, these can be between several thousand and several million units. Mass production has high Equipment cost and a high production efficiency. The labour costs are reasonably low as is the required skill level and the production costs per product.

Question 5

Define Continuous production

Answer 5

This is the term used to describe the process where the product is continuously being manufactured. This method is used for a very small number of products, but sheet steel and petro-chemicals are examples of continuously produced products.

Question 6

Describe the applications of ICT in Product design and Manufacture

Answer 6

CAD (Computer Aided Design) involves using computers to produce to generate 2D and 3D models of products. CAD can be used to create Photo-realistic, colour rendered drawings. CAM is Computer Aided Manufacture, it is the process of using Computer controlled machines that are used to produce products.