Question

What role does materials technology play in the production of the organization’s goods and services?

Answer 1

Materials technology is a sum composition of materials, equipment, and computers. Innovations in materials technology were mandated so as to bring linkages among input, processing and output activities. Materials technology coupled with Advanced Manufacturing technology makes an organisation integrate or coordinate and control the flow of resources among input, conversion, and output activities. Materials technology allows an organisation to reduce uncertainty not just by increasing inventory stockpiles but by controlling the process which eliminates the need for inventory at input and output altogether. Several innovations in this pursuit have been introduced in the materials technology which only helps an organisation in reducing the operational and overall costs by not stockpiling on inventory and accelerating the process of producing goods and services and they are as above:
(1) Computer-aided design which is short for CAD greatly simplifies the design process and gives an organisation low-cost and differentiation advantage.
(2) Computer-aided materials management is then another type of intervention which helps an organisation to control the flow of raw materials into the conversion process, it also helps an organisation to prepare for production schedules and take absolute control of its inventory.
(3) Just-in-time which is another revolutionary technique wherein inputs and raw materials are delivered as and when they are needed which reduces costs and wastes.
(4) Flexible Manufacturing Technology facilitates an organisation to produce many varieties of components at very low or at times no cost on the same machine.