Final answer:
Canon's assembly line producing cameras by assembling parts such as shutters or lens caps is an example of an intermittent production process. This method, contrasted with continuous production, allows for batch production and customization, traits that align with the historical development of assembly lines for items like cars.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which Canon's assembly line produces cameras by assembling various parts such as a shutter or a lens cap is known as an intermittent production process. In this type of production, items are made in batches or customized, allowing a degree of variation and flexibility in the products being produced. Unlike a continuous production process, where the production is non-stop and the items are typically uniform and standard, the intermittent process is versatile and can accommodate changes in design or customer specifications.
This method aligns with our historical understanding of production lines, which dates back to the early 20th century when the assembly line became a revolutionary method to mass-produce items like cars. These assembly lines have since been applied to a myriad of products, including electronics like cameras, ensuring that each item can be produced swiftly and consistently.
The assembly line was an innovation that allowed products to be assembled piece by piece in a sequential manner, thus reducing the time and cost involved in production. This process benefits manufacturers like Canon by enabling them to produce complex items such as cameras systematically and efficiently. Each station on the assembly line is responsible for a specific part of the manufacturing process, and by the end of the line, the product is complete. Therefore, the assembly of cameras with specific parts like shutters and lens caps Canon is a clear example of an intermittent production process.