Importance of Materials and
Manufacturing
• Manufacturing as the Master-Key for Socio-economic Development.
• Manufacturing, reduced to its simplest form, involves the sequencing
of product forms through a number of different processes. Each
individual step, known as an unit manufacturing process, can be
viewed as the fundamental building block of a nation's manufacturing
capability. A committee of the National Research Council has
prepared a report to help define national priorities for research in unit
processes.
• It contains an organizing framework for unit process families, criteria
for determining the criticality of a process or manufacturing
technology, examples of research opportunities, and a prioritized list
of enabling technologies that can lead to the manufacture of products
of superior quality at competitive costs.
• Manufacturing engineering, or the manufacturing process, are the
steps through which raw materials are transformed into a final
product.
• The manufacturing process begins with the product design, and
materials specification from which the product is made.
• The million dollar question is ‘where and how wealth can be
produced. Printing money by reserve bank does not produce wealth.
It only devalues the currency. Someone may say that God has already
produced wealth in form of oil, gold, diamond and minerals which are
hidden beneath the ground.
• That is true; but the said question refers to human beings. In fact,
money (wealth and profit) can be produced in only two places: (i)
Farms (through agriculture) and (ii) Factories (through manufacture).
In both cases, there are certain inputs which after-transformation lead
to the desired output.
• This transformation adds to the value, and the difference in value of
output and input is the wealth created.
• Inputs etc, Farms and Factories Outputs See below Farms and
Factories as Job-creator and Generator of wealth (output–input).
Input Output Place Process Technological Revolution
• Seeds etc. Crops Farms Agriculture Agriculture revolution
• Raw materials Products Factories Manufacturing Industrial revolution
(Mechanical/Electrical).
• Raw materials Products Factories Manufacturing Industrial revolution
extended (Electronics/Computer) to electronics and computer Wealth
is generated, though in less amount, through agriculture wherein
variety of crops can be grown to yield money.
• But agriculture depends on so many natural factors that its success
becomes uncertain. Pure agriculture is less profitable, but agriculture
based industries are quite profitable. More value is added through
manufacturing in factories. It is said that in America, 97% land is used
for agriculture and only 3% for industry. The return to national income
is just the reverse, i.e., 3% and 97% respectively.
• A simple calculation shows that about 1000 times more money is
produced in industry than in agriculture. That is why, industrialists are
richer and farmers are poor, specially in India. The present-day
industrial revolution is the electronics and computer revolution which
is yielding even more profit.
• The most important revolution is the industrial revolution (which
includes the present-day electronics and computer revolution)
through ‘manufacturing’. Historically, industrial revolution started in
England. It generated wealth which accelerated the pace of it. But it
needed a market to sell the products.
• This resulted in the desire for foundation (colonization) of, say, Africa
and India. In fact, colonization was a result of industrialization. The
prosperity of England as compared to other European countries, was
inherent reason for jealousy and rivalry between them.
• The jealousy and rivalry finally resulted in the World-Wars.
• In modern age, however, the industrialists and governments want
economic-colonization in place of real physical colonization. Global
scenario of multinationals ventures and outsourcing across countries
are a few examples of this doctrine.
• For industrial development, the basic infrastructure facilities such as
transportation and communication are a must. Moreover, steel
industries are said to be the base industry for other industries to
grow.
• Steel and electricity consumption have been considered as yardsticks
of socioeconomic development.
• Bismarck famously said ‘for development of a Nation, you don’t need
lectures and meetings, but you need blood (enthusiasm) and steel’,
the reason being that steel is the basic material for machines Which
do manufacturing.
Conclusion
• Manufacturing provides the foundation for many kinds of innovations.
If manufacturing processes are immature or the know-how needed to
develop the product or process to produce the product is unspoken
and not well codified, you cannot innovate in a country if the factories
are on the other side of the world.
• R&D and manufacturing must be located close to each other so their
people can together figure out how to develop a product that can be
manufactured at a cost and level of quality that will make it a
commercial success. The bottom line is if a country loses the ability or
the capacity to manufacture, its innovation space will be shortened.
So why is manufacturing, so important?
• Here are some reasons why we believe manufacturing is essential and
beneficial to our nation, our economy, and our people:
• 1. Logistics: Do you need to modify or test the products throughout
the production process? By working with a domestic manufacturer,
your engineering groups can work with the manufacturers on a more
consistent basis.therefore local or near logistic companies play major
role.
• 2. Turnaround time: Customers’ current needing for items are
becoming shorter. Therefore, it is essential that they receive the
necessary components and products in a timely fashion. Domestic
manufacturing allows for the quick turnaround—as well as the
flexibility to make changes throughout the production process.
• 3. Quality: by considering quality factor. high quality materials and
products create proud for any country.
• 4. Economic benefits: Manufacturing is crucial for any economy—not
only does it raise employment, but it also boosts the economy.
• 5. Domestic pride: Manufacturing helps to build up any country, and
the need for domestic manufacturing is good as compared to
importing, additionally, there is a higher sense of pride in “locally
Made products”.
• 6. Skill Development: The manufacturing industry provides a wealth
of opportunities for individuals both young and old to develop their
skills and become experts in their field, whether that be design,
engineering, or machining.
