Manufacturing Technology Reduces Cost, Increases Quality & Improves Productivity

摘要

Many of the elite schools of the world dedicate entire four-year programs to educating students on the subject of manufacturing engineering and how to produce more parts for less cost. For those people who don't have four years to spare, the manufacturing life cycle can actually be divided into four fairly simple stages: Creation Stage-A product concept is developed and then a series of techniques are designed that will be necessary to produce that product. At this stage, manufacturers typically utilize available equipment. Efficiency Stage-Processes and machinery are developed specifically to make the production of stage 1 products more efficient and to increase margins. Commoditization Stage-Continuous improvement with ever-increasing efficiency drives the market price down until the cost for increased incremental productivity is not worth theinvestment. New Product Introduction Stage-Successful companies, as their products become solidly entrenched as commodities, seek out new ways to leverage their core skills and introduce new products. The life cycle repeats itself.