Discrete processes

Discrete processes are characterized by processing cycles based on single parts or individual units of a product. In a discrete process, both the raw materials and the final product are countable. Typical examples of batch processes are as follows:

• Mechanical machining (such as turning, milling, drilling, or welding), assembly, handling, welding, painting, or quality control
• Transport of products, pallets, tools, belts, rollers, conveyor chains, automatic guided trolleys or autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) on fixed tracks, magnetic tracks, or bridge carriages (over high weights or long distances)
• Buffers used to store up products (either raw, semi-finished, or finished) or tools for managing ongoing queues to an operating machine and absorbing different processing speeds