Reference no: EM132208754
1. An assembly line which manufactures electric lawn mowers operates 7 hours per day with a desired output of 100 units per day. Following table shows the details of the tasks associated with manufacturing a lawn mower including the task times and precedence relationship.
Task Time (min) Description Predecessors
A 1.8 Assemble frame None
B 1.2 Mount switch A
C 3.25 Assemble motor housing None
D 1.2 Mount motor housing in frame A, C
E 0.6 Attach blade D
F 0.9 Assemble and attach safety grill E
G 1.0 Attach wire cord B
H 1.4 Test F, G
a) Draw the appropriate precedence diagram for this production line.
b) Determine the theoretical minimum number of workstations required. Use the following rule to assign tasks.
I. Assign task in order of the largest number of following task.
II. Assign tasks in order of longest task time when there is a tie between largest number of following task.
c) Assign tasks to workstations and determine how much idle time is present at each workstation.
d) Calculate the efficiency of the assembly line.
e) Discuss how this balance could be improved to 100%.
Sunflower Ltd. needs to develop an aggregate production plan for next year. The demand forecast for each quarter in next year is
Period Forecast
Quarter 1 20,000
Quarter 2 10,000
Quarter 3 15,000
Quarter 4 18,000
The company has 70 workers and 1,000 units in the inventory at the beginning of quarter 1. According to the agreement with the union the company may lay off workers only once a year, at the beginning of quarter 2. The number of workers laid off at the beginning of quarter 2 should result in planned production levels for quarter 2 equal the demand forecast of quarter 2. The company may hire workers only at the end of quarter 2. The number of workers hired is sufficient to begin the regular work in the quarter 3. Overtime of two hours is allowed per worker per day.
Following costs are given:
hiring - $100 per new worker
lay off - $ 200 per worker laid off
holding - $ 200 per unit quarter
normal time labour - $ 30 per hour
overtime - $ 50 per hour.
One unit of production requires two labour hours. The company operates eight hours in regular time for twenty working days per month. Lost sales and back orders are not allowed. Develop an economical aggregate production plan. Calculate the total cost of the plan.