Glossary

Material Utilization

Material utilization is a key concept for any business operating in today’s fast-paced, competitive environment. By understanding the best way to use materials, kitting operations can increase efficiency and maximize the value of their raw material. It requires having a comprehensive insight into how materials are used during production, as well as being able to recognize patterns that may indicate potential waste in usage or resources. Material utilization provides enterprises with the capability to conquer the challenges of modern markets – and do it with better use of existing materials. 

What is Material Utilization

Material utilization refers to how much raw material is used when producing a product or part. The higher the percentage of utilization, the less waste there is during production, which results in cost savings for manufacturers, as well as being better for the environment.

For example, if you are producing a component for an Airplane wing and only use 50% of the original raw material weight, then you have achieved 50% material utilization. This means you have saved 50% on your production costs as compared to using 100% of your raw material weight.

Different Types of Material Utilization

Utilizing materials is an important part in many industries, from manufacturing to construction. Knowing the various types of material utilization can help you determine which type will best suit your needs. While there are several types to choose from, the three most common are production, fabrication, and assembly. Let’s take a closer look at each.

1. Production Utilization

Utilizing materials is an important part in many industries, from manufacturing to construction. Knowing the various types of material utilization can help you determine which type will best suit your needs. While there are several types to choose from, the three most common are production, fabrication, and assembly. Let’s take a closer look at each.

2. Fabrication Utilization

Fabrication utilization involves cutting, forming, and welding materials into a pre-determined shape or design. Unlike production utilization, fabrication is not typically done on an assembly line; instead, it requires skilled operators who understand how to work with a variety of tools and materials in order to create custom pieces that meet specific specifications. Fabrication is often used for projects such as bridges, buildings, and ships, where large-scale structures must be created from raw materials.

3. Assembling Utilization

Assembly utilization involves combining components into larger systems or products for use in various applications. This type of material utilization is commonly used in product assembly lines where parts are added one by one until the final product is complete. Assembly lines are often automated in order to operate them quickly and efficiently without the need for specialized labor or expertise.

How can Manufacturers Improve their Material Cost Utilization?

1. Optimize material usage one way to improve material cost utilization is to optimize the amount of material used in the manufacturing process. This can be done through techniques such as lean manufacturing, and a material tracking and management solution which aims to minimize waste and optimize the use of resources.

2. Improve supply chain management Manufacturers can also improve their material cost utilization by optimizing their supply chain management. This may involve working with suppliers to negotiate better prices, improving the efficiency of the supply chain, and reducing the risk of material shortages.

3. Implement advanced manufacturing technologies Adopting advanced manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, robotics, AI based technologies that can help manage material inventory and eliminates quality issues related to using expired material in production can help manufacturers to improve material cost utilization by reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

In short, understanding how to leverage optimized material utilization by taking advantage of modern technologies will lead to significant cost savings over time.

To Wrap It Up 

Material utilization is often an overlooked concept; however, savvy manufacturers recognize it as a seamless way to reduce raw material costs while still producing quality, efficient products. Aside from reducing raw material costs, raw material management can also improve accuracy during production and enhance sustainability when an effective raw materials strategy is put in place – saving both time and money.

Learn more

Find out how Kineco Kaman managed to reduce prepreg composite material waste by 4.5%
Learn how automatic real-time tracking of tool location and usage can streamline your production
All In One Guide:
Proactive Intelligence In Manufacturing