Lesson 5 - Manufacturing Specification PDF

Manufacturing Specification
A manufacturing specification contains all the information that is needed to make the product. It describes the
stages of manufacture and the materials needed, using flowcharts, diagrams, notes and samples. This means that
if more than one product is made then each product should be the same. A manufacturing specification is done
once the final product has been developed. It explains exactly what the product is and how it is made. It should
provide enough information so that anyone could use the specification to make the product again and again. It
ensures that a product is always made in the same way and each product is identical and made to a set standard.
A manufacturing specification should contain the following information:
 Fabric details including quality, quantity, colour, cost

 Component details, quality, quantity, colour, cost.
 Tools and equipment to be used, in detail.
 Instructions for making in simple steps.
 Tolerances allowed in the making. E.g. a seam should be 1.5cm +/- 0.1 cm.
 How long each process should take.
 Health and safety considerations.
 Pattern lay plan.
 Samples of fabrics and components.
Tolerance levels
There will be an ideal size set by a manufacturer for a product, but small deviations from
that size can be allowed. For example, a cushion cover may have an ideal size of 45 x 45
cm, but in reality, the cushion cover sizes permitted of a batch of cushions may vary
between 44.5 and 45.5cm. This means that the tolerance is
+/-0.5cm.
Tolerance levels may be given for the size of a product, the seam allowances, the
placement of components and embellishments. A seam may be 1.5cm with a tolerance
of +/-0.2cm, so it can vary between 1.3cm and 1.7cm.
Working drawings
A working drawing shows the exact details of the design, it contains information about fabric, components, sizes
and construction techniques to be used. Swatches and samples of components are often put on too.
Prototypes
These can be made to test the manufacturing process and make sure that the manufacturing
specification is accurate.
Just in time (JIT)

This is a way of having materials available just as they are needed. JIT is a computer based system that
lets companies track the stock of components and materials to make sure that they arrive at the
factory just as they are needed. However, if any mistakes are made then it does mean that there will be
a delay in production.
Production planning
Production planning is something used in manufacture to give clear instructions to all employees to
makes sure that they can work together efficiently. It makes sure that
 Resources are organised
 Stages of making are detailed
 The making order is sensible
 Quality is monitored
 Work schedules are met (things are done on time)
Flowcharts
These are used to show the production system in diagrammatic form. A Flowchart is a universal system
used to plan work for the manufacture of a product, it lists and puts into order the operations to be
carried out during the manufacture of a product.
When you make a production plan flowchart

This shape shows a process carried
there are specific shapes that you need to
out.
use on the flow chart. Look at the This shows a decision
shapes on this page and point/ quality control
point, where the making
familiarise yourself with is tested for quality and
what they mean. The diamond
shape usually contains a the production can either question.
go on to the next stage
or has to be repeated if
not of sufficient quality.
This shape shows the beginning
and end of your production plan
flow chart.
Glossary
Feedback loop
If you look at the flowchart for bags that is attached with this file, you will see that for each quality
control check, there are arrows going back to the process that has been checked if it doesn’t pass the
check. These show that the process has to be done again if it is not up to standard, and this is called a
FEEDBACK LOOP, if it passes the quality control test then it can proceed on to the next stage of
production.
Tolerance
This is the small amount of leeway allowed on each process, so a seam may have to be 1.5cm, but the
quality controller will allow plus or minus 0.1mm, or a skirt may be intended to be 24cm in length, but
a plus or minus 5mm variance is allowed, so the skirt could be 24.5cm or 23.5cm and this would still
be acceptable.
Critical control points Main product
assembly flow
These are quality control checks that take place at chart
three main critical control points: Sub assembly
 Raw materials: these are checked to make flow chart
sure that they are in good condition. Fabric is
checked for colour, cleanliness, fibre content,
weight, width, type and amount.
 Prototype testing: a prototype is made and

tested to see if it meets the specification and
how successful the fabrics and components
are and whether the product is safe and fit
for purpose.
 Production sampling: a sample product is

taken from a batch to make sure that it meets
the manufacturing specification. Minor faults
can be put right, and things like seam
allowances are checked to make sure that
they are within tolerance levels. This is where
what is made
in the sub
assembly is
added to the
product
Sub assembly
Sometimes during manufacture it is necessary to make some parts separately in order to then attach
them at some stage to the main product. These may even be carried out in a different workplace to
where the main product is made. An example of sub assembly is something like beading which may
be carried out on a piece of the final produce separately by a skilled worker elsewhere. A sub-
assembly will be shown next to the main flowchart and join it at the point at which the separate part is
added to the main product.
Gantt chart
This is a chart that identifies the main stages in production and the timescale in which they need to be
done. It also shows the order in which they need to be done, and shows whether any processes overlap
(can be done at the same time) and helps you to plan your time effectively and fit your production into
the time allowed
Columns show
time increments
Tasks Week/day 1 Week/day 2 Week/day 3 Week/day 4 Week/day 5 Week/day 6
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Task 5
Bars show task Thick vertical line

Rows show tasks duration and when it shows the present
to be done. will be done status of the work

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Manufacturing Specification

A manufacturing specification should contain the following information:

 Fabric details including quality, quantity, colour, cost

Just in time (JIT)

When you make a production plan flowchart

 Prototype testing: a prototype is made and

 Production sampling: a sample product is

Tasks Week/day 1 Week/day 2 Week/day 3 Week/day 4 Week/day 5 Week/day 6

Bars show task Thick vertical line

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