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Activity 2.5

A.)  What do you think are the relative contributions of the raw materials and the machinery to the final cost of the pen to the customer? 

The relative contributions within the manufacturing process of the ball point pen will include some of the materials that are used. For example, the brass ball is manufactured in bulk but to such precession that the machinery involved will be extremely expensive; Furthermore, the brass used to produce the ball point will be the main cost within a singular pen. However, with the balance of the computer controlled lathe meaning production can continue at a rapid pace the price of the material is near enough balanced when in perspective off how many can be produced at once.

 Moreover, the plastic that is used during production has to be made into multiple parts for the pen for example you have the outer barrel, the ink tube and the plastic plugs that the ink tube fits into. Each of these items will require a separate manufacturing process, so as much as the plastic may not be too costly in the grand scheme it will actually be one of the biggest costs due to the number of varied components it has to produce. To conclude the machinery used within the production process will be by far the biggest cost which will in pact more what the customer is paying for than the actual pen product. However due to the demand the machines are able to meet, the cost of production balances by the amount of pens the machines are capable of producing in a short amount of time.

B.)   

      When is most investment required for producing the pen.

The main investments required for producing a pen will be within the cost of buying and the upkeep of the machinery. This also has other investment requirements such as a facility to hold the machinery. Additionally, if the machinery goes wrong at any point how much will this cost to fix, will someone be employed with the purpose of keeping the machines working?

 If analysing the investment purely based on the product, then the most investment will come when producing the steel balls. All though this is done via machinery thinking of the entire production process including getting the brass to the point where it can start to be moulded into the ball shape, makes this the longest process from starting point to final product. It is also the most significant part of the pen and precision at assembly point is key.

Section 3.1 notes.

Communicating in teams.

·      “Communication skills are Vital, particularly in organisational structures where there is extensive team working.”

·      Team work is required for success.

·      Greater responsibility within a project normally increases an individual’s commitment.

·      Communication doesn’t just mean verbal or written it can include…

- Numerical material, Statistical , algebraic and graphical information.

- Scale Drawings or other pictorial communication.

Knowing what and knowing how.

·       “In order to do engineering you need to able to solve problems”.

·       Modelling cycle often used within engineering. – Model is a tool for thinking with – An abstraction which often helps to solve an engineering problem.

* See attached file for Modelling cycle diagram. *

·       The cycle starts with a problem – the problem being the item that needs to be created for example a bridge to cross water.

·       The second step is the model – This being the original concept or plan, in this case may be a scale drawing of a bridge or idea of material that will be required for the build.

·       The next arrow shows that you should use your model to plan a solution , this may be where your occur problems such as the material required may not be available to the amount of specialised craftsman etc.

·       The final step is the solution, this is where you will fix the problems or adapt the design sp that your earlier problems are identified and minimalised. This will then allow you to have another solution or final product, you can continue to break this down and test your solution until you happy with your final product.

Activity 2.2B.

Helpful Tips

Link: http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/helpful-tips.php

Tips:

• 80% of the result can be gained by concentrating on 20% most important tasks.
• Regularly check study calendar.
•  Highlight textbook areas that require more time / holding you up and revisit them.
• Write out assessment questions , add notes / ideas to them.
• Check rules for your assessment. ( Word count etc.)
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Web Page Conclusion:

• Keep on top with upcoming assessments, write the questions down and make notes as and when possible. Refer back to notes at assessment time. Highlight areas of difficulty and come back to them; don’t get stressed. Relax and move on revisit them after another activity.

Activity 2.2B.

Study Goals.

Link:  http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/study-goals.php

Time Management:

• Organising time you have put aside each day, knowing exactly what you plan on studying, for how long and where.
• Be Strict, Stick to plans and keep on track.

Tips:

• Dived work into small manageable chunks. – Break up Large tasks

Planning:

• Set Goals, Both short term and Long term.
• Create a weekly time table.
• Create daily / weekly to do lists.
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Web Page Conclusion:

Try making an action plan at the begging of the week, like the example given. Set small manageable goals and also target dates and completion dates.