UNIT 39: MODERN MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
Unit 39: Modern Manufacturing Systems
Level: 3
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners will investigate the principles of processing systems used in manufacturing and how
operations are organised to make the most efficient use of time, materials and equipment.
Unit introduction
One of the key drivers for business success in manufacturing organisations is how operations
are organised and how they respond to economic, social and technological change. It is vital that
appropriate manufacturing systems and processing methods are employed to manufacture products
safely, sustainably and cost effectively, and that these systems and methods are reviewed and
improved regularly. Organisations that have embraced business improvement techniques, such as
Lean, have found them to be transformative, enabling increased efficiency and profitability across
their organisations.
You will study the activities controlled by manufacturing operations and how the nature and
performance of different areas may be influenced by current and future social and technological
trends. You will examine how factory layouts are structured and organised and how the passage
of a product through a factory is coordinated. Lastly, you will investigate Lean tools and
improvement techniques before applying them to a manufacturing simulation to see their
potential impact first hand.
All manufacturing industries, including aerospace, automotive, food, rail, biomedical and chemical,
employ manufacturing engineers. This unit will help to prepare you for employment, for example as
a manufacturing technician, for an apprenticeship or entry to higher education.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Understand the functions of manufacturing operations and factors influencing their
success
B Examine process systems that are commonly used in manufacturing industry
C Investigate the principles of Lean manufacturing and how these influence
productivity.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering – 467
Specification – Issue 7 – September 2019 © Pearson Education Limited 2019
, UNIT 39: MODERN MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
Summary of unit
Learning aim Key content areas Recommended
assessment approach
A Understand the functions of A1 Manufacturing operations A written report on the
manufacturing operations A2 Performance objectives in functions contained in a
and factors influencing their manufacturing operations manufacturing operation
success and factors affecting the
A3 Future trends influencing
performance of a
manufacturing operations
manufacturing organisation.
Learners must also investigate
likely future trends affecting
manufacturing organisations.
B Examine process systems B1 Process types and typical A written report justifying the
that are commonly used in industrial applications type of manufacturing system
manufacturing industry B2 Manufacturing layout types used to manufacture
contrasting products, which
B3 Characteristics of effective
should include an explanation
system layout
of all relevant documentation.
B4 Manufacturing Evidence should include
documentation diagrams and/or photographs
to support an evaluation of the
layout used. This would best
be achieved in collaboration
with an industrial partner or it
could be based on case study
materials.
C Investigate the principles of C1 The Lean philosophy A presentation outlining the
Lean manufacturing and C2 Key elements of Lean principles of Lean and its
how these influence application to transform a
C3 Lean tools and methods
productivity traditional manufacturing
operation. Part of the
presentation will include the
delivery of an activity devised
by learners that illustrates a
range of the principles of Lean
effectively by simulating how
part of a manufacturing
system might be improved.
468 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering –
Specification – Issue 7 – September 2019 © Pearson Education Limited 2019
Unit 39: Modern Manufacturing Systems
Level: 3
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners will investigate the principles of processing systems used in manufacturing and how
operations are organised to make the most efficient use of time, materials and equipment.
Unit introduction
One of the key drivers for business success in manufacturing organisations is how operations
are organised and how they respond to economic, social and technological change. It is vital that
appropriate manufacturing systems and processing methods are employed to manufacture products
safely, sustainably and cost effectively, and that these systems and methods are reviewed and
improved regularly. Organisations that have embraced business improvement techniques, such as
Lean, have found them to be transformative, enabling increased efficiency and profitability across
their organisations.
You will study the activities controlled by manufacturing operations and how the nature and
performance of different areas may be influenced by current and future social and technological
trends. You will examine how factory layouts are structured and organised and how the passage
of a product through a factory is coordinated. Lastly, you will investigate Lean tools and
improvement techniques before applying them to a manufacturing simulation to see their
potential impact first hand.
All manufacturing industries, including aerospace, automotive, food, rail, biomedical and chemical,
employ manufacturing engineers. This unit will help to prepare you for employment, for example as
a manufacturing technician, for an apprenticeship or entry to higher education.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Understand the functions of manufacturing operations and factors influencing their
success
B Examine process systems that are commonly used in manufacturing industry
C Investigate the principles of Lean manufacturing and how these influence
productivity.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering – 467
Specification – Issue 7 – September 2019 © Pearson Education Limited 2019
, UNIT 39: MODERN MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
Summary of unit
Learning aim Key content areas Recommended
assessment approach
A Understand the functions of A1 Manufacturing operations A written report on the
manufacturing operations A2 Performance objectives in functions contained in a
and factors influencing their manufacturing operations manufacturing operation
success and factors affecting the
A3 Future trends influencing
performance of a
manufacturing operations
manufacturing organisation.
Learners must also investigate
likely future trends affecting
manufacturing organisations.
B Examine process systems B1 Process types and typical A written report justifying the
that are commonly used in industrial applications type of manufacturing system
manufacturing industry B2 Manufacturing layout types used to manufacture
contrasting products, which
B3 Characteristics of effective
should include an explanation
system layout
of all relevant documentation.
B4 Manufacturing Evidence should include
documentation diagrams and/or photographs
to support an evaluation of the
layout used. This would best
be achieved in collaboration
with an industrial partner or it
could be based on case study
materials.
C Investigate the principles of C1 The Lean philosophy A presentation outlining the
Lean manufacturing and C2 Key elements of Lean principles of Lean and its
how these influence application to transform a
C3 Lean tools and methods
productivity traditional manufacturing
operation. Part of the
presentation will include the
delivery of an activity devised
by learners that illustrates a
range of the principles of Lean
effectively by simulating how
part of a manufacturing
system might be improved.
468 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering –
Specification – Issue 7 – September 2019 © Pearson Education Limited 2019
