Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for a manufacturer of using standardised parts across several different products in its range. [6]
Question 1 Report
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for a manufacturer of using standardised parts across several different products in its range. [6]
Answer Details
Standardised parts are identical components used in more than one product. The manufacturer must balance efficiency against loss of product-specific design.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Making or buying one part in larger quantities lowers its unit cost through economies of scale. | A shared part may be over-specified for some products, making them heavier or more expensive than necessary. |
| Fewer different components need to be ordered, stored and stock-controlled. | Products may look or feel too similar, reducing the distinctiveness of a premium model. |
| Assembly, repair and supplying spares are simpler because staff and customers use the same component across the range. | A fault or supply shortage in one common component can affect every product that uses it. |
| A proven part has lower development and reliability risk than a completely new component. |
A strong judgement is that standardisation is particularly valuable for reliable, non-visible parts such as fixings or switches, but product-specific parts may be justified where appearance, weight or performance differentiates the model. Developed discussion of both sides with a judgement gains [5–6]; explained points on both sides gain [3–4].
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