The One

Essay text:

Which tasks must be done first, and which ones may follow? Finally, our concern is attaining desired output efficiently, without using unnecessary input resources. Capacity, Sequencing and Efficiency Let’s illustrate these ideas with an example. A manufacturer is developing plans for a facility to make 320 aluminum storm windows. The desired minimum daily output capacity is 320 windows. Figure-I and Table-I show the tentative assembly line layout. The operations manager wants to know if this is a good design and if better designs are possible. A B C D E F G H Figure-I : Diagram for storm window assembly line Table – I: Initial assembly line layout for aluminum storm windows |Work |Preceding |Task Assigned |Task’s Required |Task Time/Unit | |Station |Work | |Predecessor |(in seconds) | | |Station | | | | |1 |- |A: Assemble Frame |None |70 | |2 |1 |B: Install rubber molding |A |80 | |3 |2 |C: Install frame screws |A |40 | | | |D: Install frame each |A |20 | |4 |3 |E: Install frame handle |A |40 | | | |F: Install glass pane |B, C |30 | |5 |4 |G: Cover frame screws |C |50 | |6 |5 |H: Pack window unit |D, E, F, G |50 | | | | |Total |380 | This is a good design if the sequence and assignments meet the following criteria: ? They produce the desired output capacity ? They are feasible ? They are efficient Is Capacity Adequate? The number of units this layout allows the company to produce each day depends on the station whose tasks take the longest time to perform...