Batch production simple explained

Typical characteristics for batch production are :

Defined quantity

a limited quantity of items is produced as part of batch production.

Intermediate storage

It is often necessary to temporarily store the products in the batch between individual production steps.

Flexibility

Once a batch has been completed, it can be switched flexibly and quickly to another product or product variant.

Quality

Batch production meets the highest quality requirements, as each batch can be monitored, controlled and adjusted.

Batch production is important for the following main reasons :

• Flexibility: Thanks to batch production, it is possible to manufacture a large number of products or variants with different characteristics. This allows companies to adapt flexibly to customer requirements, market demand or seasonal fluctuations.
• Efficiency: As machines and employees can be used to manufacture several products, companies can use resources sensibly and efficiently thanks to batch production. This saves time, money and effort, reduces manufacturing costs and avoids downtime.
• Quality: Each batch can be checked and monitored separately, making it easier to detect and rectify errors. Batch production thus supports continuous quality assurance.
• Variety: Batch production is the efficient basis for manufacturing products in different variants - for example, flavors or sizes. In this way, companies can offer a wide range of products with little effort and secure their market position.
• Comply with regulations: For some industries, including the process manufacturing industry, production in batches is a regulatory requirement in order to be able to reliably trace products and their ingredients. Batch production helps to reliably fulfill lot tracking requirements.

• Food industry
• Chemical industry
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Cosmetics industry
• Medical technology industry
• Biotechnology industry

A typical example of batch production is the production of yogurt in different flavors. First, a defined quantity of natural yoghurt is processed, which is then temporarily stored in food tanks. Now the vanilla, chocolate and lemon flavors are each produced in a separate batch. The natural yoghurt forms the basis of each batch. Each individual batch is then filled and labeled. As part of quality control, each batch is tested for taste, consistency and quality. The legally required traceability is guaranteed by the assigned batch number.

Batch production

Batch production refers to the manufacture of a product in a previously defined quantity under constant conditions. There may be slight natural fluctuations. While in batch production the manufacturing process is decisive for the differences in the batches, in batch production it is the raw materials and their quality.

Batch production

In batch production, these fluctuations in the quality and properties of the raw materials are deliberately taken into account. A batch is therefore a unit of materials that is created by the properties of the raw materials and processed accordingly.

Variety production

In variety production, several variants of a product are manufactured from one starting material. Production takes place one after the other. Each individual variety is usually produced in large quantities.

Implementing batch production is worthwhile for companies that have specific requirements in terms of flexibility, variant diversity, quality assurance or the use of resources.

These are often the following :

• Required traceability from raw material to product
• Industries with strict regulations
• Optimization of production resources
• Cost and time efficiency
• Customization
• Working with raw materials of fluctuating quality

High setup times and costs

Changing from one batch to the next can result in high setup times and costs due to the retooling of machines and systems.

Precise planning

In order to be able to produce different batches, the production sequence, materials and capacities must be planned precisely, which takes time and effort.

Planning errors

If batches are planned incorrectly, this can result in bottlenecks, overproduction or delays in shipment. This often leads to increased costs, inefficient use of resources and dissatisfied customers.

Penalties

Strict regulations stipulate that every batch must be fully documented. This can be time-consuming. If this task is neglected, it can result in penalties.

Regular & intensive training

Employees working in batch production must be sufficiently trained to be able to react flexibly to changing production requirements.

Fluctuating quality

Deviations in production or raw materials in a batch can cause quality fluctuations and defective products. To avoid this and prevent damage, companies must integrate strict control systems.

The Yaveon 365 industry-specific ERP for the process manufacturing industry is seamlessly integrated into Microsoft Business Central and expands it into a professional batch management solution. With a dedicated app, companies in the process manufacturing industry can manage their batches securely, reliably and transparently.
This is made possible by practical functions such as :

• Extension of batches and serial numbers, which are uniquely defined by a number, with additional data
• Batch split to assign new data for a subset of a batch
• Tracking of completed postings, changes and movements of batches
• Adjustment of batch data, for example in the event of a status change