Production Technology for Manufacturing
Technology Enables Making of Quality Products at Acceptable Costs
Jan 31, 2009
Good technology provides solutions for producing acceptable quality products at acceptable costs. It has to be appropriate for the skill levels available to the producer, and the volumes to be produced. For example, a highly sophisticated technology can be the wrong technology for a factory in a country with low volumes of trained manpower.
Technologies and Industrial Processes
The following overview can provide an insight into the varied nature of technologies:
- Manufacturing technology that includes such processes as casting, molding, forming, machining, joining and rapid manufacturing
- Semiconductor fabrication using photographic and chemical processes
- Production lines that can consist of a series of refining processes ending in a finished product, or sequential adding of components to make the final product
- Industrial processes such as chemical processes, electrolysis, liquefaction, drying, scrubbing and so on
- Construction activities involved in constructing a building, bridge or other structure
- Publishing activities involving content development and its dissemination through printing or otherwise
- Information technology involving equipment and processes to facilitate management control and other goals
- Primary sector activities like agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining and quarrying that adopt increasingly sophisticated technologies
- Service sector activities like transportation, banking, entertainment and healthcare that too utilize technology for better service provision
Technology Development and Application
Innovation: New products and processes are developed through R&D, which can be in-house or a spinoff from government programs such as space exploration or defence.
Documentation: Product specifications, process flow charts and other essential details involved in using the technology are documented, and might also be patented.
Engineering: Lab scale production is scaled up to operating processes that can meet commercial requirements such as availability of materials and manpower, ease of production, control, volumes and quality assurance. For example, automated solutions might have to be developed if manpower is short but product demand is high.
Facilities: Required production and material handling facilities are assembled or outsourced to start commercial operations.
Operating Procedures: Planning, scheduling, inspection & testing, accounting and other procedures control the day-to-day production operations.
Emerging Technologies and New Production Strategies
Nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science - NBIC - are seen as emerging technologies. These innovative technologies are seen as a solution to a serious problem faced by developed countries viz. movement of traditional production jobs to lower cost developing countries.
The MANUFUTURE 2003 program initiated by European Union, for example, makes the suggestion "to transform manufacturing from a resource-based to a knowledge-based activity delivering products of higher added value." Market-driven innovation, a motivating regulatory climate, entrepreneurial spirit and the involvement of all stakeholders were regarded as essential to achievement of the goal by the working groups constituted by EU.
It is appropriate production technology that helps businesses produce quality products at acceptable costs. Production technology covers a vast range of specific processes as well as incidentals like engineering and operating procedures.
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