The Process Design Team at a Manufacturer Has Broken an Assembly

question 78

Essay

The process design team at a manufacturer has broken an assembly process into eight basic steps, each with a required time and predecessor as shown in the table. There are 8 productive hours available in a day and the manufacturer wishes to produce 400 units using seven workers-one for each station.
$$\begin{array} { | c | c | c | } \hline \text { Task } & \text { Time } ( \mathrm { sec } ) & \text { Predecessor } \\\hline \mathrm { J } & 45 & \cdots \\\hline \text { K } & 50 & \mathrm {~J} \\\hline \text { L } & 40 & \mathrm {~J} \\\hline \text { M } & 55 & \mathrm {~K} , \mathrm {~L} \\\hline \mathrm { N } & 40 & \mathrm { M } \\\hline \text { O } & 65 & \mathrm { M } \\\hline \text { P } & 25 & \mathrm {~N} \\\hline \text { R } & 35 & \mathrm { O } , \mathrm { P } \\\hline\end{array}$$ Balance the line according to the longest operation rule and calculate the percent idle time. Using the same arrangement of tasks at work stations, what is the greatest output that can be achieved in an eight-hour day and what is the percent idle time of this design?

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Definitions:

Business Cycle

The fluctuations in economic activity that an economy experiences over a period, characterized by periods of expansion and contraction.

Innovation Lag

The delay between the introduction of a new idea, process, or product and its acceptance or implementation in the market or society.

New Idea

A novel concept, thought, or innovation that has not been previously implemented or explored.

Consumer Demand

The desire and willingness of consumers to purchase goods and services at a given price.