Total Cost Minimization (Essay Sample)

Total cost minimization
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Advantages
Modern assembly lines are beneficial to the world economy because they are specialized and produced goods in large quantities, and therefore gaining the advantages of mass production. Assembly lines are supper efficient and can be able to produce high quality goods and low prices. For instance, one motor assembly can be able to produce 300,000 motor vehicles on annual basis. That implies that just one motor vehicle assembly can be able to serve 1,000 vehicles on daily basis. With such volumes of production, the prices of products in the world markets are reduced as compared to a circumstance where one factory could be engaged in production of all the parts, and finally, assembly of all the parts.
Unlike in other production lines, speed is the essence in modern assembly lines. Metals enter the assembly line as raw materials and in a short while, they emerge as cars. Nonetheless, a beehive of activities takes place within the assembly lines as professionals specializing in various areas work tirelessly to ensure that speed and quality are both achieved. With specialization, various functions become easier because they are repetitive. Coordination and communication between various sections also become easier because regular channels are followed on daily basis.
The modern assembly lines heavily rely on technology to perform various functions that may take considerably huge time if full, manual operations are used. For instance, use of interchangeable parts in common in modern day assembly lines. Conveyor belts are also instrumental in enhancing speed and accuracy of operations in assembly lines because they are responsible for moving objects to the right personnel and shifting them to the next level when one professional is done with them. Technology creates a system where all operations are unified and they flow in a perfect manner, which requires no involvement of supervisors or line managers.
Modern assembly lines rely on current techniques of increasing production and minimizing costs. Because of that, the world market has continually received assembled goods at lower prices. Current techniques in the market enables innovation and better use of materials, and therefore reducing waste and improving productiveness of raw materials. The modern assembly lines are not only concerned about the financial aspect of business. Its design is based on consideration of a wide variety of factors, such as social, environmental, legal, political, and economic factors. In other words, every aspect of the modern assembly lines is created to help in satisfying many stakeholders across the globe.
Operations in modern assembly lines are based in principals of efficient production. Those principals enable assembly lines to be both market-oriented and customer-oriented. Overreliance on human aspect is eliminated because it is prone to mistakes and inconsistencies. However, a combination of machine power and human aspect has been made to ensure that better products are produced in larger volumes, enough to gather for market demands, and specific needs and requirements of consumers. The principals of efficiency form the core of designing operations and establishing roles and functions of different sections of the assembly line. In that respect, the best form of operation is arrived at and applied for producing the highest possible number of products with the best possible level of quality. The principles assist in breaking down particular tasks into smaller jobs that can be done efficiently and with the help of machines. In that manner, big jobs can be completed in just a few minutes without fault or drawbacks.
Modern assembly lines have discovered ways of reducing costs that can be spread even to the final consumer. Application of the principles of efficiency and wide use of machines enables those assembly lines to employ people with fewer skills. In that respect, it can be able to cut back on hiring top-notch professionals or training people to perform various functions. Only simple instructions and repetitive operations are required when machines and the principles of efficiency are applied in running day-to-day operations.
Disadvantages
Modern day assembly lines do not achieve high levels of efficiency or reduced costs within a short period. Considerably huge time is dedicated to study, trial and error, and planning. Such a period may span too many years as one operation is successfully developed and new lessons learnt. It takes several years for any assembly line to accumulate enough knowledge and experience, and then transform it into real practice by restructuring its operations and developing new machines and systems. Although high speed and efficiency of the modern assembly lines is truly enviable, achieving such a level is no mean feat. It takes highly dedicated, committed, result-oriented leaders operating in many departments to ensure that entire operations of the assembly line runs smoothly and effectively.
Planning aspect is very important in enhancing smooth flow of work in assembly lines. Designing an efficient way of operation is not a simple task. Before an assembly line arrives at a perfect manner of operation, many flaws and...