What are the impact of computers and robotics on productivity ?

The impact of computers and robotics on productivity :

1. Automation

The total or near total use of machines to do work

2. Robotics

- The use of programmable machines to perform a variety of tasks by manipulating materials and tools

- Robots work quickly, accurately, and steadily

- Robots are effective in tedious, repetitious, and hazardous tasks

3. Computer manufacturing systems

Computer-aided design (CAD)

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM)

4. Continuous Process.

A manufacturing process in which a firm produces the same product(s) over a long period of time

5. Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) 

A single production system that combines electronic machines and computer-integrated manufacturing.

6. Intermittent process

A manufacturing process in which a firm's manufacturing machines and equipment are changed to produce different products

7. Technological displacement

Automation cuts manufacturing time, reduces error, and simplifies retooling procedures

-Many robots work with humans to make jobs safer and easier

-Automation will bring change to many jobs; many workers will have to retrain or seek jobs in other sectors of the economy

Summarize how technology can make American firms more productive and competitive in the global marketplace.

Summarize how technology can make American firms more productive and competitive in the global marketplace.

Productivity is the average level of output per worker per hour. From 1979 to 2011, U.S. productivity growth averaged a 4.2% increase. More specifically, productivity in 2011 increased 2%. Although a 2% increase was lower when compared to our average productivity growth over the 1979 to 2011 time period, 11 other nations that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks each year had larger growth in productivity than the United States.

Several factors must be considered if U.S. firms are going to increase productivity and their ability to compete in the global marketplace.

Automation, the total or near-total use of machines to do work, has for some years been changing the way work is done in factories. A growing number of industries are using programmable machines called robots. Computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, and computer-integrated manufacturing use computers to help design and manufacture products.

A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) combines electronic machines and CIM to produce smaller batches of products more efficiently than on the traditional assembly line. Instead of having to spend vast amounts of time and effort to retool the traditional mechanical equipment on an assembly line for each new product, an FMS is rearranged simply by reprogramming electronic machines.

An FMS is sometimes referred to as an intermittent process.

Explain how purchasing, inventory control, scheduling, and quality control affect production.

Explain how purchasing, inventory control, scheduling, and quality control affect production.

The major areas of operations control are purchasing, inventory control, scheduling, and quality control.

Purchasing involves selecting suppliers. The choice of suppliers should result from careful analysis of a number of factors, including price, quality, reliability, credit terms, and shipping costs.

Inventory control is the management of stocks of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods to minimize the total inventory cost.

Scheduling ensures that materials and other resources are at the right place at the right time.

Quality control guarantees that products and services are produced in accordance with design specifications. The major objective of quality control is to see that the organization lives up to the standards it has set for itself on quality. A number of different activities including quality circles, inspection, total quality management, and six sigma can be used to encourage employee participation and to improve quality.

Discuss the components involved in planning the production process.

Discuss the components involved in planning the production process.

Planning for production involves three major phases:

• design planning, 
• site selection and facilities planning, and 
• operational planning. 

First, design planning is undertaken to address questions related to the product line, required production capacity, and the use of technology.

Then production facilities, human resources, and plant layout must be considered. Operational planning focuses on the use of production facilities and resources.

The steps for operational planning include

1. selecting a planning horizon,
2. estimating market demand,
3. comparing market demand with capacity, and
4. adjusting production of products or services to meet demand.