Traditional manufacturing is described as "low mix, high volume" (ie. same part in great quantities). Modern manufacturing tends towards "high mix, low volume"

Traditional manufacturing is described as "low mix, high volume" (ie. same part in great quantities). Modern manufacturing tends towards "high mix, low volume" (ie. different part each time). This is partly because, ultimately, it is more cost efficient to produce multiple parts using similar processes on the same equipment than to produce all parts on dedicated equipment using a broader mix of processes. It is also partly because outsourcing fabrication makes sense for many people, which means the fabricator themselves is receiving a range of orders that has to be executed in rapid succession on a given equipment line. While this transition presents a challenge for everyone (design, management, HR, etc.) it is also a huge opportunity, particularly for we software people.