A refinery is a factory or processing plant where crude or elementary materials are processed into more usable forms. There are many different types of refineries that can create all sorts of products, from petroleum to table salt. Refineries often contain complex mechanical systems that all

A countersink is a cone-like hole cut into an object, so that the head of a screw, bolt or nail is flush to the surface. The tool used to cut countersinks also is referred to as a countersink, and it comes in many styles. Countersinks are very similar to counterbores, where a shallow, round

A welding hammer is used to dress welds once they have cooled. Used in arc welding, the this hammer is equipped with a chisel-like pointed edge used to dislodge the slag left behind from the welding rod. It also comes equipped with a wire brush on one side that is used to remove any traces o

A business architect is responsible for implementing successful strategies at an organization or company. This type of architect does not work with literal blueprints and floor plans or in an architect studio. Instead, the business architect is a modern architect who must be able to envision

Scale calibration is a process used to ensure that a weight scale is providing accurate information. For scales used commercially, calibration may be necessary every few weeks or months, to confirm that the scales are still weighing accurately, while home scales may be left uncalibrated for

Fashion week is an event at which designers have a chance to display new lines of clothes, shoes, bags, and other accessories. As the name would suggest, fashion week usually lasts around a week, and it features the latest and greatest of the fashion world. The “Big Four” fashion weeks in Mi

Rivets are remarkable fastening devices that can be set in two main ways: by heating or striking the rivets head. Both setting techniques permanently fasten the rivet to a material, such as sheet metal or leather. You may need to practice the chosen technique repeatedly to properly set rivet

There are numerous types of production line equipment, including printed circuit board (PCB) assembly machines, computer numerical control (CNC) machinery, lathes, and extrusion devices. Each piece of machinery must be controlled and calibrated to manufacture the necessary product for distri

Robotic assembly refers to the process of utilizing different types of robots in the production or manufacturing process in order to effectively carry out the assembly of specified items. The process requires the utilization of any number of a vast array of robotic technology, ranging from s

One of the main strategies in producing quality laser cut leather is to consult the instruction manual for the specifications of the laser cutter. Familiarization with the cutter and the accompanying software aids in design creation and contributes to the quality of the finished laser cut pr

Loss of production is a disruption in normal operations that leads to inefficiency. This can increase costs which may be difficult to recoup unless the situation can be rapidly resolved. Companies can use a variety of measures to assess productivity and determine when they are incurring loss

Lean manufacturing is the practice of severely limiting wasted resources in manufacturing and in other fields by assuming that anything that does not directly lead to value for the end user of a product or service is wasteful. When planning a program of lean manufacturing implementation, it

A spinneret is a piece of industrial equipment used in the production of polymer fibers. Using an extrusion process, a facility can force liquid polymers through the spinneret, turning them into long strands that harden into usable fibers. This process is similar to that seen with spider sil

Roll-to-roll (R2R) processing is a manufacturing technique used to form electronic devices on flexible substrate material that is transferred from one roller to on another. A variety of fabrications operations may be performed as the substrate winds its way through multiple rollers. Roll-to-

Smelting furnaces are used to turn ores and other materials into iron, as well as other non-ferrous metals. Manufactured in several distinct styles and designs, with each intended for a specific smelting process, the various smelting furnaces such as cupola, induction and electric furnaces a

Industry benchmarks are the points of comparison of businesses within the same industry. Common points of comparison include financial performance, inventory turnover and percent defects. Businesses use industry benchmarks to gauge where they stand against the competition and identify potent

A manufacturing system is an approach to making products that is based upon several factors. These include how much of the product is needed, how quickly the product must be produced and how unique the product must be to ensure sufficient sales. Manufacturing systems include custom, assembly

In manufacturing, a master production schedule (MPS) is an all-encompassing schedule for a company or department. It includes major elements involved in the production of an end product or service. Generally used by project managers, it contains forecasts and goals that help management make

Master scheduling is the process by which a manufacturing operation is run. The master scheduler is the person or department in a manufacturing plant responsible for scheduling. The master scheduling department may be responsible for all aspects of scheduling such as demand forecasting, the

A cupola furnace is a cylindrical device that is used to heat and melt metals such as iron and bronze. These blast furnaces are typically between 1.5 and 13 feet (about 0.5 to four meters) in diameter, and have the outward appearance of a smokestack. In order to operate a cupola furnace, the