Reference no: EM132239341
An American company named Viga marketing garments in USA is having them mass produced in Bangladesh. Viga will do the entire process design and provide the jigs and tools needed for production. Making a man’s shirt involves cutting the sections of cloth, stitching the sleeves, making the collar, attaching the parts, stitching the buttons and packaging. A ladies shirt can be very similar with different material.
Viga is using the Repetitive or Assembly process with a number of stations using semi-automatic machines and tools to enhance productivity and improve quality. There are also a number of inspection stations for real time 100% go/no-go checks and also stations for detailed testing of samples from the production lot. The plan includes training the workforce in full training in the use of equipment, as well as providing detailed manuals and instructions for the quality inspectors.
Viga is considering a number of different options. One of them is batch production of men’s and ladies’ garments where the machines are reprogrammed from one set of measurements to another. Another option is to use a Flexible Manufacturing System where one set of operators focus on one family of products , like shirts, while another set of operators focus another family.
1. The Assembly process is a good choice here because:
A. They are providing employment to a lot of people.
B. The American company wants a lot of garments at a low price.
C. It is easier to train the workforce in the use of a few machines than to train them to become master tailors.
D. The Assembly process works best in a high volume low variety demand situation.
2. Which of the following is considered an important factor in the design of an Assembly process?
A. Balancing the line so that each workstation has about the same work time.
B. Paying attention to detail in designing the work.
C. Keeping the workers motivated.
D. Designing the layout so that a supervisor can see it all at one time.
3. Viga is attaching a lot of importance to production quality and is setting up many points of inspection.
A. This is going to be costly.
B. Quality is a decision that has strategic importance.
C. The inspection will not be costly if the inspection passes everything.
D. Too many inspections may demotivate the workforce.