You are designing a process for the assembly of a consumer electronics product with a labor content
Question:
You are designing a process for the assembly of a consumer electronics product with a labor content of nine minutes. You are trying to decide whether to use (1) a single machine-paced line with eight workers or (2) eight separate single-worker “cells”. Each of the eight single-operator “cells” would perform exactly the same collection of assembly tasks as the single line, using the same tools, technologies and equipment. On the assembly line, each worker would be assigned to a single assembly task.
1. Which approach would typically require a higher level of worker skill?
a. The single line.
b. The eight cells.
c. No difference in skill requirements between the single line and the eight cells.
d. Can’t determine without additional information.
2. Which approach would typically achieve higher worker utilization?
a. The single line.
b. The eight cells.
c. No difference in skill requirements between the single line and the eight cells.
d. Can’t determine without additional information.
3. Which approach would typically achieve higher machine utilization?
a. The single line.
b. The eight cells.
c. No difference in skill requirements between the single line and the eight cells.
d. Can’t determine without additional information.
4. Which approach would produce the greater output?
a. The single line.
b. The eight cells.
c. No difference in skill requirements between the single line and the eight cells.
d. Can’t determine without additional information.