Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the production of goods through the use of labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of secondary sector of the economy.[1] The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high-tech, but it is most commonly applied to industrial design, in which raw materials from the primary sector are transformed into finished goods on a large scale. Such goods may be sold to other manufacturers for the production of other more complex products (such as aircraft, household appliances, furniture, sports equipment or automobiles), or distributed via the tertiary industry to end users and consumers (usually through wholesalers, who in turn sell to retailers, who then sell them to individual customers).
Manufacturing engineering, or the manufacturing process, are the steps through which raw materials are transformed into a final product. The manufacturing process begins with the product design, and materials specification from which the product is made. These materials are then modified through manufacturing processes to become the required part.
Modern manufacturing includes all intermediate processes required in the production and integration of a product's components. Some industries, such as semiconductor and steel manufacturers, use the term fabrication instead.
The manufacturing sector is closely connected with the engineering and industrial design. Examples of major manufacturers in North America include General Motors Corporation, General Electric, Procter & Gamble, AbbVie, General Dynamics, Boeing, Pfizer, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Examples in Europe include Volkswagen Group, Siemens, BASF, Michelin and Unilever. Examples in Asia include Toyota, Yamaha, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, Godrej & Boyce and Tata Motors.
List of Various types of Manufacturing industries :
- Automotive, Steel & Metal, Cement
- Food, Furniture, Wooden
- Paper, Textile, Chemical
- Machinery, Power, Computer/Electronics
- Coal, Petroleum, Rubber
- Automation, Plastics, Nonmetallic Mineral
- Energy, Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Process manufacturing vs. Discrete manufacturing
Process manufacturing is the exact opposite of discrete manufacturing. Whereas process manufacturing follows recipes or formulas and creates products that cannot be broken down at the end of the production cycle, discrete manufacturing uses a bill of materials (BOM) and follows instructions to create finished, assembled goods. At the end of the discrete manufacturing process, the final product can be broken down into its distinct parts, which can sometimes be recycled. Goods produced through discrete manufacturing include automobiles, computers, and some toys.
Discrete manufacturing can be associated with:
- Assembly lines
- Fabrication
- Standard parts and components
- Bill of materials
- Identification of parts by numbers
- Measured by each part or piece
While process manufacturing can be associated with:
Process manufacturing can be considered more complex than discrete manufacturing since it involves transforming individual raw materials and process inputs into a final product. However, it is also less defect-oriented and experiences fewer interruptions and improved quality control (QC) throughout the production process.
- Recipes and formulas
- Mixes and blends
- Variable ingredients
- Identification of parts by attributes
- Measurements of weight or volume
Types of Manufacturing Processes
Repetitive manufacturing is used for year-round, high-volume production with dedicated lines. It’s efficient, with minimal setup time and quick adjustments to meet demand.
Job shop manufacturing handles smaller, custom production batches. It’s flexible and often used for made-to-order (MTO) and made-to-stock (MTS) items, switching to discrete processes when needed.
3D printing builds items layer-by-layer using digital models. It’s ideal for customized or low-volume items using various composite materials.
Process Manufacturing Software
Process manufacturing requires advanced ERP software for managing operations, quality, and traceability. These systems streamline workflows and improve production outcomes.
Top ERP Vendors:
- SAP
- Oracle
- Microsoft
- Infor
- IFS, Sage, Plex Systems, Syspro
Most ERP platforms now operate in cloud or hybrid environments, improving accessibility and scalability for manufacturers of all sizes.
Examples of Process Manufacturing
Beer Brewing: Grains, hops, yeast, and sugar are combined in a precise process to create a final product that can’t be disassembled.
Hand Lotion: Ingredients are mixed and processed into a compound for skincare that also cannot be separated once produced.
These examples highlight the irreversible nature of process manufacturing and the importance of recipe-based production cycles.
