In the manufacturing world, techniques have changed significantly over the years.
After years of working with a variety of industries, we’ve learned the terms that are used most commonly in each and turned them into a list.
Use it to build your vocabulary – and understanding – of manufacturing terms.
Bonus: Since manufacturing is a global business, learning these concepts will be applicable anywhere.
Here are some manufacturing terms and definitions that you need to know.
Tools, techniques, and initiatives that help an organization respond rapidly to their customers, the market and the latest advances in the industry.
A list of all the suppliers from which materials are purchased.
Control systems that operate a process or system with minimal or reduced human interaction.
A list of parts or items that make up a product assembly. The BOM may also include sub-assemblies, which are smaller parts of the larger product.
For example, a lawn mower is made up of a number of different systems, such as the handle assembly, the blade assembly, the motor, etc.
A wide range of computer-based tools that aid engineers, architects and other design professionals in their design activities.
A change request that documents a crucial problem with a product.
The process of creating, reviewing and getting approval for change requests, orders and notifications.
Explains a problem and suggests a solution to remedy the problem. There are multiple types of change requests, including:
A change request that explains a problem with a document and offers a solution to fix it. DCR is also used to describe an issue with a specification or with a standard operating procedure.
Managing product documentation, including maintaining and distributing product files related to revisions.
A Bill of Materials that’s organized according to CAD engineers’ processes and preferences.
EBOM represents only the product that’s being created, not the packaging or the manufacturing materials used.
The documentation that describes a suggested change to a design.
It lists the parts or products that would be affected and is signed off on by the people/person who would be responsible for performing the change.
This type of change request details proposed improvements or issues with components or assemblies.
Often, an ECR will come before an ECO.
This change request describes a problem with a product that has been observed in the field.
This set of guidelines explains how to manage every aspect of production and testing that ensures the quality of a product.
GMPs cover the manufacture and testing of:
Familiarity with these phrases and what they mean positions you as a go-to source for your potential customers and current clients.
The people who work with you want to feel confident that you’re qualified to help them meet their goals.
