Assembly Line Production
Definition
Assembly line production is a manufacturing process in which parts are added to a product in a sequential manner using optimally planned logistics to create a finished product much faster than with handcrafting-type methods.
Analogy
Think of assembly line production like making sandwiches for a school field trip. Instead of one person making each sandwich start-to-finish, you have one person putting on the bread, another adding the meat, another adding the cheese, and so on until you have a complete sandwich. This way, sandwiches (or products) get made much quicker!
Related terms
Henry Ford: An American industrialist and business magnate who founded the Ford Motor Company. He is credited with developing and implementing the first moving assembly line for mass production.
Mass Production: The manufacture of large quantities of standardized products often using assembly lines or automated technology.
Industrialization: The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods. Individual manual labor is often replaced by mechanized mass production and craftsmen are replaced by assembly lines.
"Assembly Line Production" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (4)
- Who is credited with pioneering assembly line production in early 20th-century America?
- What was a major social conflict that arose from the introduction of assembly line production in the early 20th century?
- What could have happened if Henry Ford failed in implementing assembly line production?
- Who started assembly line production with his company in the early part of the century, influencing industry throughout the decade?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.