A manufacturing company uses an automated system in its manufacturing process.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Amount of liquid/gas/steam flowing/moving through an environment
2. [2] Two from (for benefit and matching description) e.g.: // Increases safety // ...meaning that workers do not need to go into dangerous areas to collect data/make checks/do dangerous tasks // Can increase jobs/skills // ...as employees are needed to learn/maintain the equipment // No need to do repetitive tasks // so, they can use their time on other/more skilled tasks
3. [2] Two from (for drawback and matching description) e.g.: // High set-up/installation costs // it would mean the company need to find a lot of money up front to pay for the equipment // employees will need training // Utility/maintenance/repair costs // increase in bills such as electricity // skilled employees will be required to maintain the system // equipment will break/need updating // Deskilling of the workforce // may mean that workers will no longer have the skills for some of the manufacturing jobs, should the equipment break