Analytics Exercise 8-4 Toshiba's Notebook Computer Assembly Line Toshihiro Nakamura, manufacturing engineering section manager, is examining the prototype assembly process sheet (shown in Exhibit 8.15) for the newest subnotebook computer model with every new model introduced, management felt that the assembly line had to increase productivity and lower costs, usually resulting in changes to the assembly process. When a new model is designed considerable attention is directed toward reducing the number of components and simplifying parts production and assembly requirements. This new computer was a marvel of high-tech, low-cost innovation and should give Toshiba an advantage during the upcoming fall/winter selling season Production of the subnotebook is scheduled to begin in 10 days Initial production for the new model is to be 150 units per day Increasing to 255 units per day the following week management thought that eventually production would reach 324 units per day) Assembly lines at the plant normally are staffed by 10 operators who work at a 14.4-meter-long assembly line the line is organized in a straight line with workers shoulder to shoulder on one side. The line can accommodate up to 12 operators if there is a need The line normally operates for 7.5 hours a day (employees work from 8:15 AM to 50oPM and regular hours includes one hour of unpald. lunch and 15 minutes of scheduled breaks it is possible to run one, two or three hours of overtime, but employees need at least three days notice for planning purposes The Assembly Line At the head of the embly linea computer displays the day production schedule consisting of ast of model type and corresponding lot sizes scheduled to be assembled on the line. The models are simple variations of hard disk dem orand battery poweA typical production schedule includes seven of elat model tybes not sizes varying from 10 to 100 Themes are assembled sequentially. All the units of the first model are assembled followed by all the units of the second and so on. This computer scroon also indicates how for along the assembly line is in completing its cally schedule, which serves as a guide for the material handler who ucaly Dants to the assembly lines Analytics Exercise 8-4 Toshiba's Notebook Computer Assembly Line Toshihiro Nakamura, manufacturing engineering section manager, is examining the prototype assembly process sheet (shown in Exhibit 8.15) for the newest subnotebook computer model with every new model introduced, management felt that the assembly line had to increase productivity and lower costs, usually resulting in changes to the assembly process. When a new model is designed considerable attention is directed toward reducing the number of components and simplifying parts production and assembly requirements. This new computer was a marvel of high-tech, low-cost innovation and should give Toshiba an advantage during the upcoming fall/winter selling season Production of the subnotebook is scheduled to begin in 10 days Initial production for the new model is to be 150 units per day Increasing to 255 units per day the following week management thought that eventually production would reach 324 units per day) Assembly lines at the plant normally are staffed by 10 operators who work at a 14.4-meter-long assembly line the line is organized in a straight line with workers shoulder to shoulder on one side. The line can accommodate up to 12 operators if there is a need The line normally operates for 7.5 hours a day (employees work from 8:15 AM to 50oPM and regular hours includes one hour of unpald. lunch and 15 minutes of scheduled breaks it is possible to run one, two or three hours of overtime, but employees need at least three days notice for planning purposes The Assembly Line At the head of the embly linea computer displays the day production schedule consisting of ast of model type and corresponding lot sizes scheduled to be assembled on the line. The models are simple variations of hard disk dem orand battery poweA typical production schedule includes seven of elat model tybes not sizes varying from 10 to 100 Themes are assembled sequentially. All the units of the first model are assembled followed by all the units of the second and so on. This computer scroon also indicates how for along the assembly line is in completing its cally schedule, which serves as a guide for the material handler who ucaly Dants to the assembly lines
