Intermittent Production

Intermittent production is a manufacturing method where products are made in batches, jobs, or orders rather than in one continuous flow. Work starts and stops based on demand, product type, customer requirement, or batch schedule. Many small and mid-sized manufacturers operate this way, especially when they make varied products or customized orders.

Unlike continuous production, intermittent production requires frequent planning decisions. Which job should run next? Is material ready? Which machine is free? Does the operator have the right skill? Is the customer drawing approved? Can dispatch happen on time?

AICAN Optiwise helps manufacturers manage intermittent production by connecting orders, BOMs, inventory, work orders, production status, and dispatch.

What Is Intermittent Production?

Intermittent production means manufacturing happens in separate jobs or batches. The same equipment may be used for different products at different times.

Common forms include:

• Job production
• Batch production
• Make-to-order production
• Custom fabrication
• Small-batch assembly
• Repair or project-based manufacturing

This method is common where demand is varied or products are not made continuously.

Examples Of Intermittent Production

Examples include:

• Custom machine parts
• Fabrication jobs
• Control panels
• Furniture batches
• Tool room jobs
• Packaging runs
• Engineering components
• Repair and refurbishment work

Each job may have different material, routing, inspection, and delivery requirements.

Intermittent Vs Continuous Production

Continuous production runs the same or similar product for long periods. Intermittent production changes more often.

Intermittent production usually has:

• More product variety
• Smaller batch sizes
• More setup changes
• More planning complexity
• More routing variation
• More need for job-level tracking

The advantage is flexibility. The challenge is control.

Key Challenges

Intermittent production creates challenges such as:

• Frequent setup changes
• Material shortages by job
• Difficult scheduling
• Labour skill matching
• WIP tracking
• Costing by job
• Delivery date uncertainty
• Quality variation

Without a good system, planners rely heavily on experience and memory.

Planning Intermittent Production

A strong planning process should check:

• Customer order priority
• BOM availability
• Material readiness
• Machine capacity
• Labour skill
• Setup time
• Tooling requirement
• Quality inspection
• Outsourced process
• Dispatch commitment

Planning should be dynamic because job priorities may change.

Costing In Intermittent Production

Job-level costing matters. Different jobs may consume different materials, labour hours, and machine time.

Track:

• Material issued to job
• Labour hours
• Machine time
• Outsourced cost
• Scrap and rework
• Packing and dispatch cost

This helps understand which jobs are actually profitable.

How Optiwise Helps

Optiwise by AICAN helps intermittent manufacturers manage orders, BOMs, inventory, work orders, job status, and dispatch tracking. Teams can see what is ready, what is waiting, and what is delayed.

This improves control without removing the flexibility that intermittent production needs.

Founder’s Note

At AICAN, we know many Indian manufacturers run highly flexible job-shop environments. The challenge is not lack of skill; it is lack of visibility across many moving jobs.

Optiwise helps make that flexibility more manageable.

FAQs

What is intermittent production?

It is production done in jobs, batches, or orders rather than continuous flow.

Which industries use intermittent production?

Fabrication, machining, custom assembly, furniture, tool rooms, packaging, and project-based manufacturers often use it.

What is the main advantage?

Flexibility. It allows manufacturers to produce varied or customized products.

What is the main challenge?

Planning complexity, because material, routing, setup, labour, and delivery needs change frequently.

How does Optiwise help intermittent production?

AICAN Optiwise connects orders, BOMs, inventory, work orders, job status, and dispatch so teams can manage changing priorities better.