From Blueprint To Product: Manufacturing Process

Within the business industry, manufacturing is perhaps one of the most important processes which occurs. Manufacturing product is what makes this product available for businesses to sell on, buy in and redistribute. It is the heart of every business and can be what makes or breaks a company. Today we are going to learn a little bit more about what manufacturing is, the different types of manufacturing you can choose for your business, and the process of manufacturing which you will go through. 

What Is Manufacturing? 

Manufacturing is a term which describes the large scale production of final products from raw materials and parts. The manufacturing process converts parts into products which are ready to be sold at a retail level. It can take months depending on the type of product which is being produced, but after rigorous testing, meetings, test runs and inspections- the products will make it out of the factory and straight to the company, ready to sell to the general public. 

A manufacturing business will employ humans but also use complex machines and robots to carry out parts of the manufacturing process. There are usually several steps in the process and a certain workstation for each step. 

Types Of Manufacturing Production 

There are three types of manufacturing production: 

Make-To-Stock (MTS) - This is the type of manufacturing which relies on sales figures and demand in order to forecast how much of a certain product should be manufactured for the consumer. Of course, the issue with this is that it is only an estimation which means that often a seller will be left with either too much stock, or they won’t have enough to supply the demand. 

Make-To-Order (MTO) - this is the process where a customer will order a product, often with customisations, and then the company will make that product to the customer’s specifications. The overall lead time is slower because the production begins after an order is made, but it means that there is no risk of having too much stock. 

Make-To-Assemble (MTA) - This process is almost a combination between the other two. It relies on sales forecasts to order in the parts for products, but will only assemble the final product when an order has been made. A gain, the risk with this is that the manufacturer is left with component parts. 

From Start To Finish

Let’s take a look at the typical direct manufacturing process from start to finish. 

The Blueprint 

Before any production can go ahead, there needs to be an idea which sparks the flame for the company to create a product. Often, the senior members of a company will sit down and discuss potential new ideas, and then once they have come up with a blueprint and plan that they love- they will approach a manufacturer to discuss a deal. The manufacturing company will then weigh up the cost of production and decide whether it will be worth investing in the product. 

Developing The Product 

Once the manufacturing company has decided to work for a company, they will then go away and start thinking of ways to create the specified product. It will take time to think about the materials which should be used, the processes and the design. Budget is also considered during this stage. They will then go away and buy in the relevant equipment, tools and parts for the job. 

Prototype Production 

Once the product plans are in place and the materials are in the factory, prototyping manufacturing will begin. This is the manufacturing company’s first attempt to create the product which has been outlined by the company, and often this will not be the final design. The manufacturing company will meet up with the company and show them the prototype. It will then be a case of discussing which parts they like about the product, and which parts need changing. They will then repeat the process until the product is up to standard. 

Production Planning 

Once the company is happy with a prototype and ready to go ahead with their order, the manufacturing company will now run a CAE system, which will essentially perform a simulated version of the manufacturing process from start to finish and show how long it will take and what alternative routes could be taken instead. Computer aided engineering is a key building block for the full manufacturing process because it allows the manufacturing company to see the process from start to finish to make sure that the process is viable and that the time it takes is reasonable. They can then go back and look at other options if they need to. 

Commercial Prototype Production 

Now that everything is set and the manufacturing company know what process they want to take; it’s time to try out the process on a commercial scale. It is incredibly important for the company to know that the same level of quality in the product can be achieved even at the commercial production level. The manufacturing company will perform an order of a certain quantity and run the production as if it was for real. From this the manufacturers can combat any issues in the process and adjust timings- and show the company the quality of product they are able to produce. The company can then decide if the quality lives up their standards. 

Commercial Production 

Once the company gives the go ahead, it is time to produce the product for real. The product will be produced at a commercial speed and scale, and modifications are made to each workstation to make the production line more efficient. 

After Production 

Once the products have been made and production is complete, the final items can now be inspected to make sure they are all of the same high standard. Once the products have been individually assessed and tested, it is time to deliver the goods to the company. The goods are packed carefully, shipped off and will arrive at either a warehouse or directly to a retail store, ready to be sold on to the consumer. 

Conclusion

And while that ends the process of manufacturing, it is only the beginning for your business. Keep these tips in mind to maximize your success as a manufacturer!

I hope you enjoyed this article about how to bring your manufacturing process from blueprint to product.

Interested in more articles about manufacturing and production?

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