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Manufacture

Manufacture is the process of producing goods from raw materials or components through the use of tools, machines, labor, and energy. It encompasses design, fabrication, assembly, finishing, testing, and packaging of items that can be sold or used. Manufacturing contrasts with the provision of services, where intangibles rather than tangible products are produced.

Manufacturing relies on organized methods to transform inputs into standardized outputs. Common stages include planning, procurement,

Manufacturing is often categorized as discrete manufacturing, which produces distinct items such as automobiles and consumer

Historically, manufacturing progressed from artisanal craft to mechanized, factory-based systems during the Industrial Revolution, culminating in

fabrication
or
conversion
of
materials,
assembly
of
components,
quality
control,
and
packaging
for
distribution.
Technologies
such
as
computer-aided
design
and
manufacturing
(CAD/CAM),
robotics,
and
automation
streamline
operations.
Lean
practices,
Six
Sigma,
and
statistical
process
control
aim
to
reduce
waste,
improve
quality,
and
shorten
lead
times.
electronics;
process
manufacturing,
which
yields
bulk
products
like
chemicals
or
food;
and
the
hybrid
or
batch
modes
used
across
industries.
Production
can
be
continuous,
with
non-stop
processing,
or
intermittent
in
batch
or
job-shop
formats.
Industries
range
from
metals
and
machinery
to
textiles,
pharmaceuticals,
and
consumer
goods.
mass
production
and
assembly
lines
in
the
20th
century.
Today,
globalization,
automation,
and
digitalization
shape
the
field,
with
reshoring
debates,
sustainable
production
practices,
and
the
adoption
of
circular
economy
concepts.
The
manufacturing
sector
remains
central
to
economic
development,
trade,
and
employment.