The machine fractions for an ABC drill press are given in Table $2\mathrm{.}9.$ No drill press operator,

overtime, or subcontracting is available for any operation on the ABC drill press. It may be

seen that a minimum of four and a maximum of six machines are required. How many

should be purchased? The answer is either four, five, or six. With no further information, a

specific recommendation cannot be made. Information on the cost of the equipment; the

length of machine setups; the cost of in$-$process inventories; the cost and feasibility of overtime, production, and$/$or setups; the expected future growth of demand; and several other

qualitative factors must be analyzed to reach a decision.

F $=2\mathrm{.}8(200)$

$0\mathrm{.}95(480)(0\mathrm{.}80)=1\mathrm{.}535$ machines per shift

Table $2\mathrm{.}9$ Total Equipment Requirement Specification Example

Next Highest Whole

Operation Number Equipment Fraction Number

$1091\mathrm{.}12$

$2062\mathrm{.}33$

$2740\mathrm{.}61$