Difference between Discrete & Process Manufacturing
Difference between Discrete & Process manufacturing
In this article i will try explain basic difference between in two manufacturing operations Discrete Manufacturing and Process Manufacturing.
In simple words Discrete Manufacturing produces distinct items which use Bill of Material, Routing to determine cost and lead time where as Process Manufacturing adds value by Mixing, Separating, Forming and Performing Chemical reactions.
Basic Manufacturing Difference
| Process | Discrete |
| Variable Product , By and Co Products | Standard Parts and Components |
| Attribute Driven | Part Number Driven |
| UOM are Material specific | UOM are Each & Piece |
| Use Multiple Recipes and Formulas | Use Complex Multi-Level BOMs |
| Need Lot, Grades, Potency, Shelf Life | Need serial numbers , ECN’s |
| Mixes Blends Transforms | Build Assemble , Fabricates |
| Makes Stuffs | Make things. |
Everything that brokes is Discrete Mfg, and everything else is Process Mfg. I heard this definition once and it fits for most of the cases.