With a market value of $6 trillion in 2022, America’s manufacturing industry is the second largest in the world. Only China ranks higher.
In recent years, more investors have entered the manufacturing sector. If you’ve been thinking of investing in the sector, one of the things you’ll need to master is an ideal manufacturing process for your company.
Different manufacturing processes exist for different products, resources, and facilities. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at four types of manufacturing so you can decide on the best one for you.
Repetitive Manufacturing Process
Repetitive manufacturing is among the most common in the entire manufacturing industry. It’s a basic form of manufacturing where the same product is created on an assembly line. It’s the best manufacturing process for such industries as:
- Electronics
- Automotive
- Semiconductor
- Durable consumer goods
This type of rapid prototyping and manufacturing operation produces the same or very similar products. Products are produced en masse and round-the-clock. The assembly line remains fairly constant, with few or no changes as you’re only manufacturing one product over time.
Discrete Manufacturing
Like repetitive manufacturing, goods produced using discrete manufacturing run on a production line. However, the finished goods can vary considerably.
During production, it may be necessary to switch between different product models. On such occasions, you have to switch the configuration of the assembly line. The switching process is commonly referred to as a changeover.
Discrete manufacturing is popular in the computer industry, where consumers demand mass customization. Newer laptops and computers will need you to modify the assembly line. This way, you can produce and assemble products that incorporate the most recent electronic components.
Job Shop Manufacturing
In this type of manufacturing, companies use workstations and workshops instead of assembly lines. Every worker may need to add something to the item as it passes through their workstation. The product then moves to the next workstation until it reaches the final stage.
It’s the ideal manufacturing process for custom manufacturing. Because of the high level of customization, job shop manufacturing tends to be slower. However, you can use the tactics recommended in https://universalengraving.com/product-pages/sheet-fed-dies/inline-embossing-debossing to cut the production time while still ending up top quality products.
Continuous Process Manufacturing
As the name suggests, continuous process manufacturing runs round-the-clock. It produces the same or very similar products in large quantities.
Continuous process manufacturing is unique due to the type of raw materials it uses. Instead of solid-state raw materials, continuous process manufacturing uses liquids, gases, powders, and slurries.
Some of the industries that use this type of manufacturing include:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Oil refining
- Fertilizers
- Chemical and industrial gases
- Power stations
- Paper
Choose the Right Manufacturing Processes for You
Businesses in the manufacturing industry have a variety of manufacturing processes from which to choose. Go for a process that suits your specific manufacturing sector and product type. If your company produces an assortment of products, a hybrid manufacturing approach may be ideal for you.
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