THE LIFE CYCLE OF A PRODUCT

From idea to disposal, every product has a history - one that consumers may not know very much about. The can opener is an example. The structure of the hand-operated can opener has gone though many small changes since 1858, when it was invented. However its purpose has not changed. Not surprisingly, the can opener was invented soon after cans were first used to store food. Products are created to meet a need.

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PLC Chart

MEETING A NEED: THE PRODUCTION PROCESS

  1. THE IDEA: All products start with ideas. The inventor creates a new product to meet a need, or thinks of ways to improve an existing product so it meets its need better.
  2. A MODEL: The inventor may create several designs for the product in rough form, but chooses the one that appears best. The first detailed plans can be constructed on paper or using a computer design program. A working model may be produced.
  3. CHOOSING MATERIALS: The materials chosen will affect the strength of the products structure, how easy it is to manufacture, and whether the product is recyclable. Materials also affect the cost of manufacturing. For example, materials that must be heated will use more energy. Materials that are rare or must be shipped from a great distance will be more expensive.
  4. RESEARCH: Not all ideas are good. Inventors research how people would use the product, looking for ways to make the product better.
  5. IMPROVING THE DESIGN: The design of the product is refined based on the research. This may involve changing the structure of the product and the materials used. A new model is created and more user research is done, followed by more changes in the design, a new model, more research... The cycle continues until the product seems ready.
  6. PROTOTYPE: A full-scale version of the final design, using final materials, is built and tested to check that the product works as imagined.
  7. MARKET RESEARCH: Research is done to discover how many units of the product are likely to be sold, and at what price. This is important information. If the manufacturer produces too many units, it will have wasted resources. If the manufacture produces too few units, customers may decide not to wait and buy a competing product instead. If the price is more than consumers are willing to pay, the product may be redesigned to make it cheaper.
  8. PREPARING FOR PRODUCTION: The manufacturer prepares to mass-produce the product. This may involve creating a whole new factory or just modifying an existing one.
  9. PRODUCTION: The manufacturer begins making the product.
  10. ADVERTISING: No one can decide to buy a product if they don't know it exists. Advertising informs possible customers about the product and the need it meets. If the ads are effective, buyers will want the product.
  11. DISTRIBUTION: The product is distributed to stores for sale.
  12. BUYING DECISION: Before buying a product, the consumers evaluates it in some of the same ways as the inventor and manufacturer. Is it useful? How much will it cost to use? Can it be recycled? Consumers who are satisfied with the answers to these and other questions will buy the product.
  13. END: When the consumers finished with the product, it must be disposed of safely. Some products can be recycled and some can be used for other purposes, but many end up in landfill sites. Inventors, manufacturers, & consumers are all responsible for the effects the product has on the environment.