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CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION

V. Ryan © 2005

1 The way products are manufactured depends on the quantity required. For example, cars are continually
2manufactured in hundreds of thousands, a prototype is a ‘one off’ (just one made) and DIY furniture is
3made in batches of thousands. Continuous production process is described below:

4CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION

5SAMPLE PRODUCTS: These are some examples of things doing by continuous production process: cars,
6petrol/oil products; bricks, many food products; washing powder, chemicals, electronic components and
7paper/pulp products.

8CHARACTERISTICS:

91. A semi-automated production line is normally set up, relying on computer control as well as human
10labour.
112. Workforce comprised of skilled and unskilled workers. Workers less flexible than those working in batch
12production as the product rarely changes.
133. Production line runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
144. A high level of investment in machinery, equipment.
155. Limited training of staff as the product and equipment changes slowly. Training only needed when up-
16dated equipment is introduced or new staff starts.
176. Quality control at every stage of production. Sampling takes place at different stages of production.

18The example company (shown below) processes trees (pine) into wood pulp for the paper / card and
19newspaper industries. Demand for these products is so high that production is continuous, twenty four
20hours a day. Semi skilled workers are required for the cutting of the trees, replanting and transportation.
21Once processing starts, computer controlled automated equipment takes over.
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READING ACTIVITY

Read carefully the texts about Continuous Production Process and then do the next according to the
reading:

1. Write 3 main characteristics of continuous production process.

2. Rewrite, in Spanish, the process to produce pulp for paper from pine trees. (No more than 6 sentences).
3. Write, in English your own definition of continuous production process.
4. Draw a flowchart to represent the production line shown in the example.
5. Which is one difference between continuous and batch production processes?
6. Why it isn’t necessary a lot and frequently worker training in continuous process?
7. When is needed to train workers in this kind of production process?

Write the best Spanish equivalent for the following nominal phrases:
1. ...a semi-automated production line...
2. ...workers less flexible than those working in batch production...
3. ...Limited training of staff...
4. ...at every stage of production...
5. ...computer controlled automated equipment...
6. … washing powder
7. …the chemical transformations of the input materials…
8. …different from the other most common production model…
9. …a fresh batch of raw materials…
10. …the constant influx of raw materials…

D. Match each word with its meaning as it is used in the texts.

High – training - start – device - staff - quota - one off – width _ facilities – goods -

1. _________ Buildings, services, equipment that are provided for a particular purpose.
2. _________ just one made.
3. _________ to begin doing something.
4. _________ Measure a long distance from the bottom to the top.
5. ________ Things that are produced to be sold.
6. ________ the limited number or amount of things or people that is officially allowed.
7. ________ people working for a firm.
8. ________ the measurement from one side of something to the other.
9. ________ an object or a piece of equipment that has been designed to do a particular job.
10. _______ the process to get or improve the skills you need to do a task.