Factors for Selection of Processes

The following factors should be considered for selection of processes:

1. Quantity to be produced: Some processes are very expensive to operate when the quantity to be produced is very small. Similarly, some processes are uneconomical for large scale production.
2. Requirement of the Product: The process must assure the product that meets all design requirements of quality, function reliability surface finish, accuracy, complexity etc.
3. Utilization of Existing Equipment: While selecting a process full capacity of existing machines and its tooling must be utilized. Even if some other process is more suitable which may require the purchases of new costly machines, tools etc.
4. Minimum Idle Time: The process should be such that the idle operator time and idle machine time is reduced to minimum.
5. Les Scrap: The process must provide for maximum utilization of minimum amount of material both direct and indirect. For example. Producing complex products by casting power metallurgy instead of costly machining operations.
6. Flexibility: the process should be flexible enough to accommodate reasonable changes in design of the product and to accept improvement in the process itself.
7. Elimination of Unnecessary Operations: The process should be designed to eliminate unnecessary operations and combine as many operations as are technically and economically practicable.
8. Safety: The process must be safe to the operator as well as work.
9. Economy: The process should be economical.
10. Skill Required: It may happen that the particular process may be better and economical but it may require special training skill, experienced workers. If that is not available money has to be invested to train the available workers.