CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION

SYSTEM
Source:
http://kalyan-city.blogspot.com/2013/02/difference-between-intermittent.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_production

DEFINITION:
Continuous means something that operates
constantly without any irregularities or frequent
halts.
In the continuous production system, goods are
produced constantly as per demand forecast.
Goods are produced on a large scale for stocking
and selling.

ACCORDING TO THE WIKIPEDIA:

Continuous productionis aflow productionmethod used

tomanufacture, produce, or process materials without
interruption. Continuous production is called
acontinuous processor acontinuous flow
processbecause the materials, either dry bulk or fluids
that are being processed are continuously in motion,
undergoing chemical reactions or subject to mechanical or
heat treatment. Continuous processing is contrasted with
batch production.
Continuous usually means operating 24 hours per day,
seven days per week with infrequent maintenance
shutdowns, such as semi-annual or annual. Some
chemical plantscan operate for more than one or two years
without a shutdown. Blast furnaces can run four to ten
years without stopping.

EXAMPLES:

1.

The production system of a food industry is

purely based on the demand forecast. Here, a
large-scale production of food takes place. It is
also a continuous production.

2.

Similarly, the production and processing system

of a fuel industry is also purely based on,
demand forecast. Crude oil and other raw
sources are processed continuously on a large
scale to yield usable form of fuel and
compensate global energy demand.

NOW LET'S DISTINGUISH

INTERMITTENT AND CONTINUOUS
PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Nature of product:
Inintermittent

production system, goods are produced based on customer orders and

not for stocking.

Incontinuous production system, goods are produced based on demand forecast and for
stocking.

Flexibility of process:
In

intermittent production system, production process is flexible. The product design

goes on changing.
In continuous production system, production process is not flexible. It is standardized.
The same product is manufactured continuously.

Scale of production:
In

intermittent production system, goods are produced on a small scale, so there is no

economies of scale.
In continuous Production System, goods are produced on a large scale, so there are
economies of large-scale production.

Per unit cost:

In

intermittent production system, cost per unit may be higher because production is
done on a small-scale.
In continuous production system, cost per unit may be lower because production is
done on large-scale.

Range of products:
In

intermittent production system, wide ranges of products are manufactured.

In continuous production system, normally one particular type of product is
manufactured.

Instructions:
In

an intermittent production system, many detailed instructions must be provided

depending upon the customer's specification.
In continuous production system, single set of instructions is sufficient for operation.
Here, there is no need to repeat the instructions.

Staff:

Intermittent

production system requires staff with high technical skills and abilities.
Continuous production system requires moremanagerial skillsand less technical
skills.

Storage of final products:

In

an intermittent production system, there is no need to store and stock the final
products, because items are produced as per customer's orders.
In a continuous production system, there is a need to store and stock the final
products until they are demanded in the market.

Location change:
In

an intermittent production system, change in location is easy.

In a continuous production system, change in location is difficult.

Capital invested:
In

an Intermittent production system, capital invested is small.

In a continuous production system, capital invested is very huge.