The bits and pieces required for the manufacturing process are known by different terms. These terms can be components, inventory, stock or materials. For the remainder of this module, the bits and pieces required for the manufacturing process will be known as materials.
The manufacturing process is essentially the conversion of a number of inputs into outputs. The inputs into the manufacturing process are often called the 5Ms:
- Manpower
- Machines
- Materials
- Minutes
- Methods
- Manpower – These are the people that are required to perform the tasks that make the products to sell to customers and consumers. If the people performing these tasks encounter problems with how they do their work, they may become unhappy and not produce the products to sell as quickly as expected or to the level of quality expected. Therefore it is essential to have good methods of manufacture to ensure good quality products are made when the customer requires them.
- Machines – These are the tools and equipment that are required to manufacture the products for sale. These could include:
- Drilling machines
- Welding machines
- Pneumatic presses
- Pneumatic screwdrivers
- Various hand tools
- Moulding machines
Each machine in the process must be able to perform to the same high-quality standards each and every time it is used. This means that machines need to be well looked after and maintained regularly.
Download this helpful guide to ensuring your manufacturing tools and equipment remain working effectively and maximise their life expectancy.
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- Materials– These are the items that are required to be processed or assembled. These can be:
- Raw materials such as sheet steel, nuts, bolts and washers, microchips, glass or plastic items such as covers or packaging.
- Assemblies such as laptop screens, car seats, keyboards, plug and wire assemblies to be fitted together to make the finished product.
- Minutes– This is basically the time it takes to manufacture the products to be sold to the customer. Every task that is carried out takes time to perform, whether this is the manufacture of a car, building a house, sending an email or serving a customer in a shop. It is important to know how long it takes to do something so that it can be costed correctly and to know when it is available for shipment to the customer.
- Methods– These are the ways that products are manufactured. All products have a process or, in some instances, multiple processes that they must go through before they are ready to be delivered to the customer. The methods will detail the materials, the machinery, the time and the processes required to ensure that the products made are consistent and meet the quality specification.