A machine makes two components, call them type A and B. It takes 300 seconds to switch production between the component types. During that time no production occurs. When in production, each unit of A or B requires 0.35 seconds to be completed. The two components, A and B are combined in an assembly process to make a final product, call it C. The assembly step can combine the two components into 1 unit every 1.45 seconds, or 41.38 units per minute. For questions below, round answers to nearest whole number.
a. Suppose the machine rotates between one batch of 500 units of A and 500 units of B. In that case, what is the capacity of the machine in component pairs per minute, where a component pair is one unit of A and one unit of B? _____ component pairs
b. Suppose the machine rotates between one batch of 500 units of A and 500 units of B. What is the utilization of the machine? ____ percent
c. Suppose the machine rotates between one batch of 500 units of A and 500 units of B. What is the average inventory of B components? ______ units.
d. If the production schedule could be adjusted with the goal of minimizing inventory in the process, how many units of A should be produced before switching to component B? Assume the same number of units of B would be produced as well. ______ units.