The use of ICT, such as automated machinery, robotics, and computer-controlled systems, has significantly impacted manufacturing in several key areas: 1. Production and process control have been transformed through the use of systems like JIT that automate ordering and inventory management. While saving costs, these systems are vulnerable to disruptions in suppliers. 2. Design processes have been made more efficient through CAD/CAM software, reducing the need for specialists, cutting out repetitive tasks, and allowing more design iterations faster. However, initial investment in computer systems is high. 3. Employment has been affected, with repetitive jobs replaced by machinery but still requiring human operators and maintenance. Factories can now operate 24/7

1. Unit 2 - How Organisations
Use ICT
The Impact of ICT on Methods of
Production

2. What does your syllabus say?

3. So what are the impacts?
The use of automated machinery and robotics linked with
ICT systems has dramatically changed manufacturing. It has
had mass impact upon many areas.
You may categorize the main areas of impact as -
•Process Control
•Production Control

4. Production Control - Defined
Production control involves the systematic planning, Coordination and
directing of manufacturing activities to ensure that goods are made on
time, of adequate quality and at reasonable cost.
Example of an advantage - JIT (Just in Time) can be used for order
processing and stock control
Effect - All parts, components or raw materials are ordered exactly when
required in the production process. Money is saved due to low storage
costs and no capital investment in ‘sitting’ stock.
Disadvantage - If a supplier fails to delivery the required parts on time
then the entire manufacturing system is delayed.
Class discussion - Can you think of any other advantages or
disadvantages from using automated production control?

5. Process Control
The fundamental understanding you have to develop
here is systems theory and feedback.
INPUT OUTPUTPROCESS
The feedback loop
The outputs from an automated manufacturing systems
are consistently monitored. If there is a problem with the
output then relevant info is fed back into the system so that
adjustments to the input can be made. This feedback system
can be considered as first generation AI (Artificial Intelligence)

6. CAD/CAM - Mind Map
CAD/CAM
Designing
Economy &
scale of
Production
Product Quality
Employment
Below shows the main areas that ICT effects within industrial production.
Your Task - Listen and watch the presentation: record your own key notes on
the handouts provided!

7. Employment
Employment
Cuts in Labour
Force
Human assistance
still required
Repetitive Jobs
replaced by
machinery
Effects on
workers due to
shift work

8. Repetitive Jobs Replaced by
Machinery
1. Machines can complete difficult processes
without tiring nor complaining.
2. Robots give increased health and safety to
workers
3. AGV’s (Automated Guided Vehicles) - Can be
programmed to move components or products
from one area of a manufacturing system to
another.

9. Cuts in the Labour Force
1. Computers manufacturing can replace the
manual crafts and processes previously used.
2. AGV’s - Discussed on previous slide.

10. Human assistance still required
1. Computers need programming by humans.
2. Operators need to be trained to manage the
computer systems.

11. Effects on workers due to shift
work
1. Computers can operate 24 hours a day. Shift
workers must be employed to manage and
maintain CAD/CAM systems.

12. Designing
Designing
Increases
Productivity
Reduces needs for
specialists
Design process
implemented in a
more systematic
way
Cuts out
repetitive work

13. Designing
Designing
Increases
Productivity
Reduces needs for
specialists
Design process
implemented in a
more systematic
way
Cuts out
repetitive work
Computer designing is
faster and efficient - more
design solutions can be
produced

14. Designing
Designing
Increases
Productivity
Reduces needs for
specialists
Design process
implemented in a
more systematic
way
Cuts out
repetitive work
Computer designing is
faster and efficient - more
design solutions can be
produced.
Computer programming
takes minimal training and
can be used by most
people.

15. Designing
Designing
Increases
Productivity
Reduces needs for
specialists
Design process
implemented in a
more systematic
way
Cuts out
repetitive work
Computer designing is
faster and efficient - more
design solutions can be
produced.
Computer programming
takes minimal training and
can be used by most
people.
CAD
Allows use of more
accurate design and
printing tools.

16. Designing
Designing
Increases
Productivity
Reduces needs for
specialists
Design process
implemented in a
more systematic
way
Cuts out
repetitive work
Computer designing is
faster and efficient - more
design solutions can be
produced.
Computer programming
takes minimal training and
can be used by most
people.
CAD
Allows use of more
accurate design and
printing tools.
Computer programmers
allow copy and paste
facilities. Some jobs can now
be reduced into seconds

17. Designing
Designing
Increases
Productivity
Reduces needs for
specialists
Design process
implemented in a
more systematic
way
Cuts out
repetitive work
Computer designing is
faster and efficient - more
design solutions can be
produced.
Computer programming
takes minimal training and
can be used by most
people.
CAD
Allows use of more
accurate design and
printing tools.
Computer programmers
allow copy and paste
facilities. Some jobs can now
be reduced into seconds
Design process can be
followed by faster
progression without having
to retrace steps

18. Economy & scale of Production
Economy and
Scale of
Production
Reduce labour
force
More products can
be manufactured
High initial
investment Saves on running
costs
24hr manufacture
possible

19. Economy & scale of Production
Economy and
Scale of
Production
Reduce labour
force
More products can
be manufactured
High initial
investment Saves on running
costs
24hr manufacture
possible
Computerised machines
are faster than humans.
More products can be
produced quickly and in
large quantities.

20. Economy & scale of Production
Economy and
Scale of
Production
Reduce labour
force
More products can
be manufactured
High initial
investment Saves on running
costs
24hr manufacture
possible
Computerised machines
are faster than humans.
More products can be
produced quickly and in
large quantities.
Reduced labour force
means reduced costs

21. Economy & scale of Production
Economy and
Scale of
Production
Reduce labour
force
More products can
be manufactured
High initial
investment Saves on running
costs
24hr manufacture
possible
Computerised machines
are faster than humans.
More products can be
produced quickly and in
large quantities.
Reduced labour force
means reduced costs
Computers never get tied.
As long as there is power
they will keep producing

22. Economy & Scale of Production
Some other important issues -
CAM - Computer Aided Manufacture
FMS - Flexible manufacturing Systems (Use robots
and run under DNC systems)
DNC - Direct numerical controlled (This includes
networking of CNC’s)
CNC - Computer numerically controlled. Machines,
tools, lathes, drills, saws can be controlled by
numbers. Highly accurate and no major H&S
risks.

23. Product Quality
Product
Quality
More complex
ideas can be
manufactured
Saves money on
costly prototypes
High
Specification
Products

24. Product Quality
Product
Quality
More complex
ideas can be
manufactured
Saves money on
costly prototypes
High
Specification
Products
Specifications can be
raised and products made
to high standards of
complexity

25. Product Quality
Product
Quality
More complex
ideas can be
manufactured
Saves money on
costly prototypes
High
Specification
Products
Specifications can be
raised and products made
to high standards of
complexity
Quality Control
Quality Assurance
Tolerance Limits

26. Product Quality
Product
Quality
More complex
ideas can be
manufactured
Saves money on
costly prototypes
High
Specification
Products
Specifications can be
raised and products made
to high standards of
complexity
Quality Control
Quality Assurance
Tolerance Limits
Computerised manufacture
can produce small and
extremely accurate
components every cycle

27. Saving Money
Some other important issues -
CAE - Computer Aided Engineering
Application of software which analyses the performance
and efficiency of assembly lines.
CAA - Computer Aided Analysis
This system checks products and there production
methods. QC & QA checks can me automated.
CAID - Computer Aided Industrial Design
Allows designers to develop designs on computers after
rapid prototyping. Also allows quality control issues to be
set before final manufacture.

28. Task - Identifying Production
Systems
Consider - the robotics used within a production line act
like any other basic ICT system……..they have inputs,
processes and outputs.
Taking robotics in a car manufacturer as the area to
analyse: Can you identify or describe any of the following -
Input methods into a robotic/automated production
system
Processes involved in a robotic/automated production
system
Output methods from a robotic/automated production
system
Feedback Systems