What Is Production Processing? Definition, Types, And Examples

If you are at the beginning of your career, it is easy to be a little confused when you face the question, “What is production processing?” Simply put, in a simple sentence, it is a process that turns raw materials into goods and services. It is an important part of running a successful business. To make your business run as smoothly as possible, you need to know what production processing is, what its different types are, and how it can be used in the real world.

This blog post will explain what production processing is, what types of it exist, and some examples of it so that you can take advantage of its potential benefits.

1. Introduction: What Is Production Processing?

Production processing is the planning, making, and putting together of goods from their parts or raw materials. It is a very important part of the manufacturing industry and is needed for goods and services to be made. Production processing includes all of the steps that are needed to make a good or service, from getting the raw materials to selling the finished product. This can include anything from designing and engineering to assembling and testing. Production processing typically involves some combination of mechanical, chemical, and electrical processes. The end goal is to create a finished product that meets customer specifications.

2. The Four Types of Production Processing

There are four main types of production processing: continuous flow production, batch production, mass production, and on-off production or on-demand. Each type has its own unique set of characteristics and benefits that make it suitable for different applications.

1) Continuous Flow Production

Continuous flow production is also known as mass production or just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. This kind of production is a continuous process where neither the product nor the tools need to be changed. Instead, the same steps are done over and over again so that products can be made quickly and cheaply. It is best suited for producing high-volume products with minimal variability.

2) Batch production

This method, which is also called “intermittent production,” means making a certain number of the same product before switching to a different one. This kind of production is used when a customer needs only a small number of each product or when there isn’t enough demand for a steady flow of production. It is commonly used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

3) Mass production

This is a way of producing where a lot of the same things can be made quickly and cheaply. It uses automation, standardized parts, and assembly lines to make a lot of products at a lower cost. Mass production allows for economies of scale and helps companies reduce their labor costs. This kind of product is good for products that are used a lot and aren’t likely to change in design or specs.

4) On-Off Production

Another type of production processing method is on-demand production. This type of production process involves making one-off products in batches or small runs. This is ideal for smaller businesses that need to make a specific product quickly but don’t have the capacity for larger runs.

3. Examples of Production Processing

Manufacturing

Is a production process that involves the transformation of raw materials into finished products. It is typically done on a large scale and involves the use of machines and technology to create the product.

Assembly line production, machining, injection molding, metal fabrication, stamping, welding, and die casting are all examples of manufacturing production processes. Let’s take them one by one.

1) Assembly Line Production

• Is a type of production process in which components or parts are assembled in a sequential manner to create a finished product. An example of this type of production is found in car plants, where cars are built from individual parts.

2) Machining

• Involves cutting or shaping metal or other materials using specialized tools. This can be done by hand or with the use of computer numerical control (CNC) machines. Examples of machining processes include drilling, milling, grinding, and turning.

3) Injection Molding

• In injection molding, molten plastic is pushed into a mold to make a certain shape. This type of production process is used to make products such as plastic toys, automotive parts, and electronic components.

4) Metal Fabrication

• This type of production process is quite often used to make frames, supports, and brackets, which are structural parts. Examples of metal fabrication processes include cutting, punching, bending, welding, and machining.

5) Stamping

• Uses molds and dies to shape metal parts or components.
• Can be used to create components such as fasteners, enclosures, and electrical components.

6) Welding

• It involves melting two materials together with an arc or flame to form a bond between them. Can be used other techniques as well to put them together.
• Is commonly used in automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction.

7) Die Casting

• Is a way of making things where molten metal is poured into a mold to make the shape that is wanted.
• Is used to produce small metal parts or components, such as hinges, knobs, and fittings.

4. What is a production process example?

1) Assembly Line Production

Assembly-line production is one of the most common production processes. It involves putting components together in an orderly sequence to create a finished product. The first thought goes to the auto industry and a car assembly line, which is made up of different stations where parts are added to the car as it moves down the line.

2) Mass Production

Mass production is another kind of production process that involves making a lot of the same thing. This process requires heavy machinery and specialized equipment to mass-produce items quickly and efficiently.

When companies use automated machinery to make more of their products, this is an example of mass production.

3) Batch Production

Batch production is a way of making things that involves making many small batches of the same thing. This process is used when products need to be customized or when the demand for a product is not consistent. In this case, the customer’s forecast is very different from one to the next.

For instance, a company that makes clothes might use this type of production process to make small batches of clothes with custom designs.

4) Continuous Flow Production

Another type of production process that involves making things without stopping is called “continuous flow production.”

For this process, machines that are set up to work 24/7 with little downtime are used. One example of continuous flow production is when a plant makes cars by having robots put together the parts for each car all the time.

The Benefits of Continuous Production

One of the key benefits of continuous production is its ability to reduce costs. Furthermore, in mass production processes and other types of job production, lower manufacturing costs are king.

Mass production techniques allow for the efficient and streamlined manufacturing of goods and services. Here, it is good to mention just-in-time production by using flow production processes.

When these techniques are used, the amount of time, resources, and labor needed to finish a job can be cut down, which can lower production costs.

This type of production method is great for businesses that focus on customer service, like restaurants and hotels, because it lets them respond quickly to customer needs.

Coming back to just-in-time production, with such a decisive role in decreasing higher production cost, we need to underscore an important proven fact: it allows production businesses to produce goods at the same time as customers order them, meaning less stock needs to be stored, which reduces inventory costs and minimizes wastage. Well, that sounds like a business fairy tale, but it is not. Here, we need to mention our gratitude to Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System, or TPS, who made a huge contribution to developing and improving the JIT system.

No matter what type of production process you choose, it’s important to understand how it works and its implications for your business.

Understanding your production process will help you find places to improve and come up with good plans for making your business more productive and efficient.

5. Steps to Implement Continuous Production

Using this method of production will require careful planning, but it can have a big impact on your actual production in a good way. So, before you move on, analyze the implications based on strong metrics.

The following are some steps you can take to implement continuous production:

1. Evaluate Your Flow Production Processes

First, look at your current production line processes to see if they would benefit from continuous production. You should look at the production method, manufacturing techniques, batch process, and all operational activity.

2. Analyze Manufacturing Techniques

Think about the different ways you could produce. Each method has its own pros and cons, so you should think about which one fits your needs the best.

3. Implement a Continuous Production Method

Once you have chosen the best method for making your product, you can start using the continuous production method. This means setting up a good system of tools and people to make sure that your products are made in the best way possible. At this stage, standardization stands out as the most important aspect of producing fast goods with fewer quality issues. Here, the Six Sigma tool enters the scene.

4. Monitor Actual Production

It is important to keep an eye on the actual results of your production to make sure that your processes are working well. Keeping track of your manufacturing costs, production capacity, and other factors will help you make the changes you need to make, in order to be sure that your process is stable and generates the expected outcome.

6. Process manufacturing or mass production process?

If we are looking with operational eyes, process manufacturing and mass production are both methods of producing goods on a large scale. However, if we want to be precise, they differ in the types of products they are used to produce.

Process manufacturing is used to make things like food, drugs, and petrochemicals that change chemically or physically during production.

On the other hand, mass production is used to create identical products, such as cars, electronics, and appliances, using assembly line techniques.

Both methods use specialized tools, automation, and efficient production methods to make a lot of goods at a low cost. However, mass production generally requires less skilled labor and less customization than process manufacturing.

7. Key Considerations When Implementing Continuous Production

The foundation of successful operations management is process manufacturing and mass production processes. Is it true? Well, just partial. Operations management is just the process of taking raw materials and turning them into finished goods and services.

Successful operations management can be built on a lot of different things, like process manufacturing and mass production. It can also be built on things like good supply chain management, good inventory management, and quality control. In addition, successful operations management also takes into account the needs and wants of customers and the ability to adapt to changes in the market, and here we are talking about business strategy and tactics.

So, it’s not entirely true that process manufacturing and mass production are the only things that make operations management work well.

8. step to improvement: 20/80% Perspective

On the other hand, there are a few important things to think about when setting up a process for continuous production.

It’s important to look at the current manufacturing process and find ways to make it more efficient. By looking at how labor, materials, and machines are used, you can find ways to make the production process more efficient. It is also important to consider how the new production methods will affect the overall layout of the factory. Here, lean manufacturing techniques make the difference.

The production methods themselves should be evaluated as well. Is automation appropriate for the product being produced? What type of manufacturing techniques will be most efficient? Are there any new technologies that could further optimize the production process?

If you build a team to answer these questions and create a consistent action plan, you can make sure that the change to a continuous production process has a real chance to go smoothly and work well.

9. Instead of a conclusion

Lastly, it is important to consider the cost implications of a continuous production process. To put the new production system in place, you may need to make an initial investment, such as buying new equipment or training staff. But over time, the increased efficiency of continuous production may make up for this cost.

---