An automated production system consists of three operations: turning, milling, and grinding. Individual parts are transferred from one operation to the next by a robot. Hence, if one machine or the robot fails, the process stops.

a. If the reliabilities of the robot, turning center, milling machine, and grinder are 0.98, 0.94, 0.98, and 0.90, respectively, what is the reliability of the system?

b. Suppose that two grinders are available and the system does not stop if one fails. What is the reliability of the system?