Because of the trend toward pickup trucks with shorter beds, Alpha Assemblies is developing a set of Bed Extenders that will mount in their different hitches and allow for transporting larger loads. It will also be adaptable to accommodate a variety of shapes and sizes of items. After showing this around at some trade shows, they have received a contract to produce several units per week for the next 16 weeks. Simone has volunteered to analyze the impact of this contract and has brought you in to assist in the calculations.

1. The Model F extender fits with the 2 inch heavy duty hitches.

The contract calls for 201 Model F extenders per week to be delivered in equal installments over the 16 weeks of the contract. The goal of Alpha Assemblies is to work 40 hours per week. The actual work time for completing the Model F extenders has been broken down by process in the table below. Also provided is the anticipated learning rate for each process. All processes must be performed in sequence and each step has its own separate and unique workcenter. To achieve the goal of working 40 hours per week or less, the cycle time must be lower than the takt time. For week 16 how much better (lower so answer will be positive) or worse (higher so answer will be negative) is the cycle time for Model F than the takt time? Note: learning is applied to the batch quantity per week. Do not try to break out the units within a week.

Process	Time Required per Unit	Predecessor Task	Learning Rate
A	10		88
B	11	A	87
C	18	B	86
D	9	C	82
E	15	D	84
F	8	E	81
G	9	F	84
H	16	G	85
I	10	H	86

2. The Model G extender fits with the 2 inch heavy duty hitches.

The contract calls for 164 Model G extenders per week to be delivered in equal installments over the 16 weeks of the contract. The goal of Alpha Assemblies is to work 40 hours per week. The actual work time for completing the Model G extenders has been broken down by process in the table below. Also provided is the anticipated learning rate for each process. All processes must be performed in sequence and each step has its own separate and unique workcenter. Ideally, Alpha Assemblies will get the number of hours per week for Model G to under 40. Each workcenter requires an employee on-site regardless of working or idle. For Model G, how many fewer hours are required during Week 16 than for Week 1? Note: learning is applied to the batch quantity per week. Do not try to break out the units within a week.

Process	Time Required per Unit	Predecessor Task	Learning Rate
A	14		83
B	8	A	88
C	16	B	81
D	18	C	87
E	15	D	86
F	10	E	87
G	11	F	89
H	14	G	85
I	9	H	81

This does not need to be an integer, fractions of minutes are acceptable.