Manufacturing Production and Quality Systems

Manufacturing systems, also known as production systems, are methods designed to transform raw materials into finished products.
Manual production systems rely on the skill and labour of operators, which may be selective for custom made or unique products.
Mechanised systems utilise basic machinery or equipment to assist human labour in production.
Automated systems require minimal human intervention and mainly rely on machinery to complete tasks.

Job production involves making a single product at a time. It is highly flexible and can be easily modified.
Batch production involves production of a limited number of identical products. It allows for economies of scale and a balance of variety and efficiency.
Mass production, or flow production, is used for high volume, low variety items and requires advanced automated systems.
Flexible production, or just-in-time production, aims to minimise inventory and streamline production scheduling to respond to customer demands.

Quality in manufacturing relates to how closely a product meets its design specification and intended use.
Quality control (QC) is a reactive process that focuses on detecting and eliminating defects at the end of the production process.
Quality assurance (QA) is a proactive process that aims to prevent defects during the production process.
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a holistic approach that integrates quality principles into all aspects of the organisation.

Lean manufacturing aims to minimise waste while maintaining productivity. This can be achieved through techniques like continuous improvement (Kaizen) and just-in-time production.
Five S’s: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain - These principles form a disciplined approach to maintaining an organised and clean work environment.

Six Sigma is a systematic approach to minimising production defects to 3.4 per million opportunities.
This is achieved by identifying and eliminating sources of variation in manufacturing processes.

Health and Safety is a primary concern in all manufacturing environments to protect workers and ensure legal compliance.
Key aspects include hazard identification, risk assessment, method statements and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).