Chapter 2 Manufacturing Systems
49
Secondary processing shapes and forms
materials through casting, forming, and separat-
ing actions. Parts are conditioned to give them
new properties. Finishes are applied to protect
and beautify the product. Then parts are assem-
bled in subassemblies and products.
The result of all these activities is products
for us to use. Also, many people find exciting
and challenging careers in designing, produc-
ing, and marketing the products of manufactur-
ing systems.
Managerial Technology
Human-made systems must be designed,
built, and operated. Goals must be set and
courses of action selected. Resources must be
obtained and assigned to various activities. The
operation of the system must be constantly
monitored. Outputs must be evaluated. These
actions involve management technology. They
involve planning, organizing, actuating (direct-
ing), and controlling.
Managerial technology is all the actions that
ensure that resources are used efficiently to pro-
duce appropriate products. Manufacturing
management involves five basic areas of activ ity.
See Figure 2-10. These are research and develop-
ment, production, marketing, financial affairs,
and industrial relations.
Products and manufacturing processes must be designed and specified.
This is the task of research and development (R&D).
The specified product must then be built. A production system must be
designed. Manufacturing processes must be selected. Machines and tools must
be brought into play. Materials are processed into products. The production
activity area completes these responsibilities.
The completed product must reach the customer. Its availability and fea-
tures are presented by advertising. The product is sold to wholesalers and
retailers. From them, the final customers buy those products that meet their
needs. This movement of products from the manufacturer to customers is called
marketing.
Research and development, production, and marketing are the three activi-
ties directly involved with the product. They design, produce, and distribute
the outputs of the manufacturing system. However, other areas are needed.
Finances are needed. Financial affairs raise money and maintain financial
records. Human resources and attitudes must also be developed. Industrial
relations deal with the human aspects of the system through personnel, labor,
and public relations programs.
Figure 2-9. Glass can be converted into bottles using
secondary processing techniques.
(Owens-Brockway)
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
INDUSTRIAL
RELATIONS
FINANCIAL
AFFAIRS
PRODUCTION
MARKETING
Figure 2-10. These are the managed areas of activities
within a manufacturing enterprise.
(Inland Steel Company)
industrial materials.
Materials ready for
secondary processing
into manufactured
products. Also known
as standard stock.
secondary processing.
Manufacturing
methods that change
standard stock into
finished products.
research and
development. The
area of managerial
technology
concerned with
designing and
specifying products.