1. The correct option is C. 54.
2. The correct option is E. 60.
3. The correct option is A. 3.
4. The correct option is E. 90%.
5. The correct option is E. y.
Explanation:
Note: This question is not complete. The complete question is therefore provided before answering the question as follows:
A company is designing a product layout for a new product. It plans to use this production line eight hours a day in order to meet projected demand of 480 units per day. The tasks necessary to produce this product:
Task Time (sec) Immediate Predecessor
u 30 none
v 30 u
w 6 u
x 12 w
y 54 x
z 30 v, y
1. Without regard to demand, what is the minimum possible cycle time (in seconds) for this situation?
A. 162
B. 72
C. 54
D. 12
E. 60
2. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what is the desired cycle time (in seconds)?
A. 162
B. 72
C. 54
D. 12
E. 60
3. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what is the minimum number of workstations needed?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
E. 7
4. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what would be the efficiency of this line with the minimum number of workstations?
A. 100%
B. 92.5%
C. 75%
D. 87.5%
E. 90%
5. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what is the last task performed at the second workstation in the balance which uses the minimum number of workstations?
A. u
B. v
C. w
D. x
E. y
The explanation of the answers is now provided as follows:
1. Without regard to demand, what is the minimum possible cycle time (in seconds) for this situation?
The minimum cycle time is equal to the maximum task time. From the data in the question, it can be seen that the maximum task time is 54. Therefore, the correct option is C. 54. That is, the minimum possible cycle time (in seconds) for this situation is 54.
2. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what is the desired cycle time (in seconds)?
Desired cycle time (in seconds) = Demand rate / Number of hours per days = 480 / 8 = 60
Therefore, the correct option is E. 60.
3. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what is the minimum number of workstations needed?
Total task time = 30 + 30 + 6 + 12 + 54 + 30 = 162
Minimum possible cycle time = 54
Therefore, we have:
Minimum number of workstations needed = Total task time / Minimum possible cycle time = 162 / 54 = 3
Therefore, the correct option is A. 3.
4. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what would be the efficiency of this line with the minimum number of workstations?
Line efficiency = Total task time / (Minimum number of workstations needed * Desired cycle time) = 162 / (3 * 60) = 162 / 180 = 0.90, or 90%
Therefore, the correct option is E. 90%.
5. If the company desires that output rate equal demand, what is the last task performed at the second workstation in the balance which uses the minimum number of workstations?
The last task should be the one has the longest task time. From the data table in the question, it can be observed that y is the task that has the longest task time. This implies y is the task to perform last.
Therefore, the correct option is E. y.
