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Year 11

Efficient manufacturing systems

I can explain features of different manufacturing systems.

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New
New
Year 11

Efficient manufacturing systems

I can explain features of different manufacturing systems.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) are designed to adapt quickly to changes in product type or volume.
  2. Just-in-Time (JIT) is a production strategy where materials and components are delivered exactly when needed.
  3. Lean manufacture focuses on reducing waste, while maintaining high quality and efficiency.

Keywords

  • Flexible Manufacturing Systems - (also known as FMS) adaptable production systems for changing needs

  • Just-In-Time (JIT) - producing only what’s needed, when needed

  • Lean manufacture - a production method that focuses on minimising waste

  • Downtime - when a machine or system is not operational due to maintenance or failure

  • Lead time - the length of time from order to production completion

Common misconception

Factories always produce goods in large amounts.

Factories are responsive and often adjust production methods based on demand.


To help you plan your year 11 design and technology lesson on: Efficient manufacturing systems, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Having case studies on hand can be useful to highlight how different production systems operate. For example, fast food production may focus more on lean manufacture, while car manufacturers may use JIT.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which statement best describes the difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)?
Correct answer: QA prevents defects, while QC identifies and corrects them
QC ensures mistakes don’t happen, while QA checks finished products
QA and QC are the same process
QA only applies to manufacturing, while QC applies to all industries
Q2.
Standardisation is important in Quality Control because it ensures that all products and components are
Correct Answer: identical, the same, consistent, within tolerance, uniform
Q3.
Arrange the following manufacturing processes in order of shortest to longest lead time:
1 - Injection moulding
2 - Casting
3 - Handcrafting
Q4.
Match the factor to its impact on manufacturing:
Correct Answer:Scale of production,Determines if automation is needed

Determines if automation is needed

Correct Answer:Material properties,Affects the choice of process (e.g. cutting, moulding)

Affects the choice of process (e.g. cutting, moulding)

Correct Answer:Lead time,Influences how quickly products need to be made

Influences how quickly products need to be made

Q5.
Which of the following is an example of a direct cost?
Electricity for the factory
Correct answer: Worker wages for producing goods
Office supplies for management
Advertising costs
Q6.
Match the keyword with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:PPE,Equipment used to protect workers

Equipment used to protect workers

Correct Answer:Risk Assessment,The process of identifying hazards

The process of identifying hazards

Correct Answer:Quality Control,Ensuring products meet safety standards

Ensuring products meet safety standards

Correct Answer:BSI,The organisation setting product safety standards

The organisation setting product safety standards

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is a feature of Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS)?
Reducing stock to the minimum level
Producing in large batches
Increasing downtime for maintenance
Correct answer: Adapting to different product types and volumes quickly
Q2.
Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing aims to reduce and improve production efficiency
Correct Answer: waste
Q3.
Match the term to its correct definition:
Correct Answer:Lead time,The time it takes from receiving an order to completing production.

The time it takes from receiving an order to completing production.

Correct Answer:Downtime,When a production system is halted due to maintenance or failure.

When a production system is halted due to maintenance or failure.

Correct Answer:Lean manufacture,A method that focuses on eliminating production waste.

A method that focuses on eliminating production waste.

Correct Answer:Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS),A system that adapts quickly to different product types or volumes.

A system that adapts quickly to different product types or volumes.

Q4.
What is the primary goal of lean manufacture?
To increase the number of products produced
Correct answer: To eliminate waste while maintaining high quality
To store materials for future use
To produce only high-cost products
Q5.
In a system, machines and production processes can quickly adapt to make different products as needed.
Correct Answer: flexible manufacturing
Q6.
Put these steps of Just-in-Time (JIT) production in the correct order:
1 - A customer order triggers production.
2 - Materials are delivered.
3 - The product is manufactured.
4 - The product is delivered to the customer.