Product layouts in flow shops generally consist of a fixed sequence of workstations. An important type of product layout is an assembly line, which is a product layout dedicated to combining the components of a good or service created previously. Assembly lines are the backbone of many manufacturing industries and are also important in many service operations.

Before beginning this activity, review sections 8-2 and 8-2a in the textbook.

An assembly line with 30 activities is to be balanced. The total amount of time to complete all 30 activities is 60 minutes. The longest activity takes 2.4 minutes, and the shortest takes 0.3 minutes. The line will operate for 480 minutes per day.

PART 1:

An assembly line with 30 activities is to be balanced. The total amount of time to complete all 30 activities is 60 minutes. The longest activity takes 2.4 minutes, and the shortest takes 0.3 minutes. The line will operate for 480 minutes per day.

What are the maximum and minimum cycle times?

How much daily output will be achieved by each of those cycle times? Tip: Use the formula provided in the text: Cycle Time (CT) = Available Time to Produce (A) / Demand Forecast (D) CT = A/R and apply the Cycle Time to the Available Minutes Per Day

Note: Enter your calculation below to show how you reached your answers.

PART 2:

Suppose, now, the line is balanced using 14 workstations and a finished product can be produced every 4.5 minutes.

What is the production rate (daily output) in units per day?

What is the assembly-line efficiency? Tip: Use the formula provided in the text: Sum of all tasks / Number of Workstations (N) * Cycle Time (CT)

What would be the Idle Time in this scenario? Tip: Use the formula provided in the text

PART 3:

How do you feel about the level of efficiency and idle time determined? Is this realistic and sustainable? Explain your rationale.

Please show calculations for each part