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Year 11

Manufacturing considerations and selection

I can explain how a range of factors affect manufacturing process selection in industry.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11

Manufacturing considerations and selection

I can explain how a range of factors affect manufacturing process selection in industry.

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. Manufacturing process selection depends on a range of factors.
  2. Different processes are suited to different product types.
  3. CAM improves the efficiency of manufacturing processes, particularly for high-volume production.

Keywords

  • Scale of production - the amount/volume of goods produced

  • CAM - Computer Aided Manufacture

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

  • Efficient - using materials in a way that minimises waste

  • Automation - use of technology to perform tasks

Common misconception

Manufacturing process selection is solely based on cost.

Factors like product complexity, material properties, production volume, and lead time also play crucial roles.


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

Use real-world examples of products and their manufacturing processes to make the concepts more relatable and show how different factors influence decisions in industry.
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 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
Q2.
Which of the following is NOT a part of a design specification?
The product's aesthetics (appearance)
Correct answer: The advertising campaign for the product
The key features the product must have
Q3.
Which of the following are linked to external costing factors?
Employee productivity
Material quality
Correct answer: Supply chain disruptions
Q4.
When companies choose materials, they must consider , which includes the energy used in production and disposal.
Correct Answer: sustainability, the environment
Q5.
Materials with high are resistant to changes in shape or size under pressure.
Correct Answer: strength
Q6.
What term is used to describe the limitations or restrictions that designers work within, such as budget, time, and materials?
Correct Answer: Constraints

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
is commonly used in mass production as it allows for automation and consistent quality.
Correct Answer: CAM, Computer Aided Manufacture
Q2.
Which factor is most important when choosing a manufacturing process for a product needed urgently?
Material properties
Correct answer: Lead time
Worker experience
Product aesthetics
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.
A larger scale of production usually leads to a more process to reduce time and costs.
Correct Answer: efficient
Q6.
Which manufacturing method is best suited for small batches of customised products?
Injection moulding
Correct answer: 3D printing
Press-forming
Die-casting