Series Production (History, Types, Characteristics and Advantages)

The serial production, also known as chain production or mass production, it is about carrying out the elaboration of products from the assembly of its various pieces that are incorporated while passing through different work centers, where each worker performs specific activities.

When the product is produced with the same characteristics and standards, in industrial quantities for an indefinite period of time, we speak of this type of production. It is a system that works according to the forecast that the employer demands in the future, since does not expect it to be requested by customers in advance, as is the case with custom production.

In this type of system, mostly uses standardized technology to produce products that are going to be sold and consumed in a massive way. Due to this, the company must have warehouses at its disposal to store all the products that are produced while they go on sale and thus avoid unsatisfied demands.

History of series production

Serial production had its beginnings from the Industrial Revolution within the nineteenth century, in order to improve the organization of production and the location of the specialization of each employee depending on the specific functions required in the process of production.

It also began to be used, a better handling of machinery with technological development that helped increase the quality of the products and decrease the production time of the same in a way individual.

At present it is a totally normal system, but despite this we can say that at that time it was a great advance that made a difference to the production that was carried out in an artisanal or traditional way. This advance gave way to the new form of industrial manufacturing and different systems emerged, such as the ones that we will mention below:

• Taylorism: Began at the beginning of the 20th century, it focuses on the division of activities within the production process. This model was theoretically developed by the engineer and economist Frederick Winslow.
• Fordism: Its name is due to Henry Ford, he first applied the modernization of the Taylor system in the United States, which allowed him to create a production chain and prompted him to use this system on the assembly line, exchange of parts, standardization and protection of workers.
• Toyotism: This model replaced the Fordism model in the 70s, it is based on increased diversification and flexibility in the face of the rigidity of all predecessor models.

Types of series production

In general, this system looks for a way to organize industrial production, which allows it to be classified as follows:

Fixed production

It is a type of production where the products that are manufactured are always in the same place and the workers are the ones who are displacing them. This method is mostly used when it comes to large products that have mobility difficulties or also in the case of production in small quantities.

Process production

In this system the activities that are similar they are usually grouped in the same place where the facility is located so that the products are moved to the next place depending on the type of production that must be carried out.

Production by products

In this system, a different production line is created for each type of product, therefore, requires greater investment in machinery, but despite this, it also has a greater possibility of producing more products.

Characteristics of series production

This production system is produced based on demand forecasts, since it is a continuity of product production and is not defined based on the prior request of customers. Among its most outstanding characteristics, the following can be mentioned:

• It is a type of manufacturing that is carried out constantly and once made, they are stored to wait to be distributed to the different sellers.
• It has a constant rate of production and a fixed sequence of operations.
• It is a system with a high degree of automated mechanism, this allows limited flexibility, without However, this limitation may decrease if there is no greater demand in customizing the products.
• Automation usually requires a significant investment, but it is worth it when you see the end result of the product, this is due to the fact that a greater volume of products is produced quickly and constant.

Advantages and disadvantages of series production

Like any production system, a series of advantages and disadvantages within the operation and processing of the products to be elaborated and of the industry in general. Next, we are going to show you some of them:

Advantage

• This system looks for a way to perfect the product, since the model to be produced is carried out by machines that do not allow imperfections in the processing operation.
• The production time is much shorter.
• It reduces personnel costs to the industry and allows the possibility of hiring a staff that is already trained.
• It is much easier to make the product, because it has the same manufacturing process that is configured in the machines.
• It has a high level of productivity.
• The product is available in large quantities on the market, which is good for the industry to achieve greater coverage and reach.
• This system allows serving different economic and social sectors of a certain population that demands a certain product.

Disadvantages

• The originality and individuality of the product is diminished, since there will not be a unique piece.
• It requires the investment of a large capital to achieve the installation of a factory.
• The worker is obliged to carry out monotonous and repetitive activities.
• It leads to a job specialization that, if supplanted by a machine, the position is lost.

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