ABSTRACT
After reading this chapter you should understand: (a) what the four principal forms of manufacturing are and how the production planning
and control requirements differ between them (b) why the way that equipment is configured on the shop floor influences manufacturing
efficiency (c) the need to optimize equipment, material utilization and human resources if the most
cost-effective manufacture is to be achieved (d) ways of monitoring manufacturing productivity levels (e) the difference between mechanization and automation (f) when and when not to use automated processes (g) areas to consider when contemplating automation as a means of increasing productivity (h) what an industrial robot is and what they are principally used for in a manufacturing
environment.
