12 Tasks to 4 Workers
Consider the following tasks that must be assigned to four workers on a conveyor-paced assembly line (i.e., a machine-paced line flow). Each worker must perform at least one task. There exists unlimited demand unless stated otherwise.
Time to Complete Task (seconds):
Task 1: 30
Task 2: 25
Task 3: 15
Task 4: 20
Task 5: 15
Task 6: 20
Task 7: 50
Task 8: 15
Task 9: 20
Task 10: 25
Task 11: 15
Task 12: 20
The current conveyor-paced assembly-line configuration assigns the workers in the following way:
• Worker 1: Tasks 1, 2, 3
• Worker 2: Tasks 4, 5, 6
• Worker 3: Tasks 7, 8, 9
• Worker 4: Tasks 10, 11, 12
a. What is the capacity of the current line?
b. What is the direct labor content?
c. Assume a demand rate of 20 units per minute. What would be the take time of the process?
d. Assume a demand rate of 20 units per minute. What would be the target manpower?