Continuous Manufacturing System

This is the classic mass production system and the one laypeople most commonly think of when they
think of manufacturing. In a continuous manufacturing system, a product moves along an assembly line,
with various specialized workers performing actions to assemble the product at stations along the way.

Continuous manufacturing allows for higher output and lower unit costs, but requires a large capital
investment due to the amount of labor and machinery you need, and so are more often found in larger
operations.

Intermittent Manufacturing System

In an intermittent manufacturing system, the company produces multiple identical items at the same time.
The nature of the system means the products must be standardized and there is little or no allowance for
customization. This is an effective alternative to continuous manufacturing for companies that are not
willing or able to make as large a capital investment but are usually most effective for low-volume or
limited production runs.