CHAIN PRODUCTION: CHARACTERISTICS, ADVANTAGES, EXAMPLES - DUDAS - 2025

The production line or mass production is the manufacture of large volumes of standardized products, using frequently assembly lines or automation technology. Therefore, it refers to the efficient production of a large number of similar goods.

In conjunction with batch and work order production, this is one of the three main production methods. In it, automation is used to achieve high volume, detailed organization of material flow, careful control of quality standards, and division of labor.

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The concept of mass production applies to various types of materials, from particles and fluids that are handled in bulk, such as food, fuel, mined minerals and chemicals, to solid parts and the assembly of these parts, such as appliances and automobiles..

Modern mass production techniques changed people's relationship to their work. Mass production has replaced craftsmanship, and the repetitive assembly line is now the world standard for all manufacturing processes.

characteristics

Mass production is associated with a high rate of demand for a product. The manufacturing plant is generally dedicated to the creation of only one type of good and its variants. For example, the production of two- and four-door cars on the same plant.

Specialized machines

The machines involved are special purpose machines that rapidly produce a single type of part in large quantities.

They are generally arranged in a line sequentially and in the order in which the manufacturing operations must be performed. Product flows through these machines to completion.

It is also usually automated, reducing the total cost per unit of product. However, the machinery required to set up a mass production line, such as robots, is so expensive that there must be some assurance that the product will be successful in order to make a profit.

Assembly lines

Chain production systems for products made of numerous parts are generally organized on assembly lines. The sets go through a conveyor, or if they are heavy, they are hung from an overhead crane or monorail.

In a factory for a complex product, instead of a single assembly line there may be many auxiliary assembly lines that feed the sub-assemblies, such as car engines or seats, to a main assembly line of the backbone.

A diagram of a typical chain production factory looks more like a fish skeleton than a single center line.

Advantage

Reduction of labor costs

Labor costs are often lower for mass-manufactured products. These price savings come from automated production processes on the assembly line, which require fewer workers.

Competitive advantage

Rapid assembly aids in rapid distribution and commercialization of an organization's products, with the potential to create a competitive advantage and higher profits.

For example, McDonald's has a competitive advantage because of the speed at which it can produce a meal for customers who are concerned about delivery time.

Reduction of non-productive efforts

In artisan production, the artisan must move around the store, collect the pieces and assemble them. You have to find and use numerous tools many times for different tasks.

In mass production, each worker repeats one or a few related tasks, using the same tool, to perform identical or nearly identical operations on a flow of products.

The tool and parts are always at hand, as they are moved consecutively along an assembly line.

Therefore, the time required to manufacture a product using mass production is much shorter than when using traditional methods.

Variation reduction

Variations and the probability of human error are reduced, as tasks are predominantly performed by machinery. However, the error in the operation of said machinery has far-reaching consequences.

Disadvantages

High upfront costs

Not everything about mass production is beneficial. Establishing an automated assembly line is capital intensive and requires significant time and resources.

The initial cost of the machinery can be expensive, so the producer must ensure that he will sell the product or he will lose a lot of money.

Also, if any area of ​​mass production is disrupted, the entire production process can be affected.

Lack of motivation

Although mass production can save on labor costs, employees who remain part of an assembly line may be unmotivated because the tasks are repetitive.

Boredom caused by repetitive work can lead to increased levels of staff turnover.

Is inflexible

Mass production is inflexible, because it is difficult to alter the design of the production process after a production line is implemented. In addition, all the products manufactured in one of them will be identical or very similar. It is not easy to introduce some variety to suit individual tastes.

Examples

Ford

Henry Ford pioneered the mobile assembly line in 1913 for the production of the Model T automobile. The reduced time to manufacture parts allowed Ford to apply the same method for assembling the chassis. The time it took to build a Model T was immediately reduced from more than 12 hours to 2.5 hours.

Ford continued to refine the process, even hiring experts who studied how people moved more efficiently. Between 1908 and 1927, Ford built 15 million Model T cars.

Ford's mass production resulted in a car that was substantially more affordable to the general public, rather than a luxury product that only a limited number of people could afford.

The Ford Model T produced a tremendously affordable outlet, but it wasn't very good at responding to the demand for variety, customization, or design changes.

As a result, Ford eventually lost market share to General Motors, who introduced annual model changes, more accessories, and a selection of colors.

Coca Cola

This sugary drink, which is favored by the majority, is the most widely served product in the world. With coverage in more than 200 countries, Coca-Cola manages 1.9 billion servings per day.

References

1. Caroline Banton (2019). Mass Production. Investopedia. Taken from: investopedia.com.
2. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2019). Mass production. Taken from: en.wikipedia.org.
3. Morris Tanenbaum, William K. Holstein (2019). Mass production. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Taken from: britannica.com.
4. Aashi Mital (2014). Mass production. The Significance of Manufacturing. Science Direct. Taken from: sciencedirect.com.
5. John Spacey (2017). Batch Production vs Mass Production. Taken from: simplicable.com.