There are two main types of manufacturing systems: (1) Flow or continuous production where work moves sequentially through standardized processes like tablet or car production. (2) Intermittent production where production is not continuous and made only when required, using flexible general purpose machines and functional layout. Intermittent production includes job production like shipbuilding, batch production for non-uniform demand, and multi-purpose production that starts as batch and grows into mass production.

1. Types of Manufacturing systems:
Production process involved is categorized as (a)Flow or Continuous Production &(b)
Intermittant Production.
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(a)Flow or Continuous Production :
Repeated production,Work moves from one stage to next stage as per set sequence,
standard procedures& sequence,Inputs standardized
Egs: Medical tablets,Fertiliser, car.
to C
(b) A to B to D to E
to C
( c) Varieties:
(c.1) Mass production , eg: tablets, F.M.C.Gs
(c.2) Process Production:
Analytical :One Raw material into many products, eg. Crude oil into
petrol,diesel,kerosene,tar….
Synthetic: 2 or more Raw materials into one product, eg: Iron ore & others into steel,
many chemicals into soap…
Assembly: (Notation: I, inputs, P parts , F.P is finished product)
I1
into P1
I2
I3
into P2 into F.P
I4
I5
into P3
I6
Line balance method is used. Eg: Automobile, TV…
Characterictics: use of special purpose machines, high capital for equipment,Machines
capacity to be balanced,Fixed material handling equipments like Cranes, fork lifts
…,online inspection, Less inventory, less space requirement per unit production,% of
man power costs less in total cost,less control,product layout,
Demerits: Disruptions are critical
Requirements:Constant demand for product,inputs of good quality,Preventive
maintenance, high investment
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(b) Intermittant Production.
Production not continuous & made only when required.
Facilities(Equipment,people..) flexible to handle a variety of products and specifications.
Characterictics: No single procedure,production of a product non uniform &
intermittent,frequent changes in product design, usage of general purpose

2. machines,Functional or Process Layout, Components are made for in process inventory
and then assembled,small volume per product,low capital,Specialised labour,PPC is
critical, Labour costs high, Material handling in varying paths,All similar machines at
one location.
Varieties:
JOB PRODUCTION:
single complete unit made by a group of people.eg: ship,Building,Dam..
Work completed individually on each productEg: printing press jobs:operate printing
machine for printing,folding,page
setting,stapling,trimming,binding,packing&transporting.
BATCH PRODUCTION:
Increased production quantities for repeatition,
Due to non uniform demand in the year, switching to other products becomes essential.
All processes are done for one batch of a product& repeated.
Eg: Export products,Motors,Boilers…
BATCH PRODUCTION may be considered as a combination of Job+Mass production
MULTI PURPOSE PRODUCTION:
System starts in the form of BATCH PRODUCTION and then grows into MASS
PRODUCTION. This is the current trend.