Question: In Problem, suppose that a two-stage line were to be designed with an equal number of stations in each stage. Work content time will be divided evenly between the two stages. The storage buffer between the stages will have a capacity = 3 Td/Tc. Assume a constant repair distribution.
(a) For this two-stage line, determine the number of workstations that should be included in each stage of the line to maximize production rate.
(b) What is the production rate and line efficiency for this line configuration?
(c) What is the buffer storage capacity?
Problem: A part is to be produced on an automated transfer line. The total work content time to make the part is 36 min, and this work will be divided evenly among the workstations, so that the processing time at each station is 36/n, where ri = the number of stations. In addition, the time required to transfer parts between workstations is 6 sec. Thus, the cycle time = 0,1 + 36/n min. In addition, it is known that the station breakdown frequency will be p = 0.005, and that the average downtime per breakdown = 8.0 min.
(a) Given these data and using the upper-bound approach, determine the number of workstations that should be included in the line to maximize production rate.
(b) Also, what is the production rate aad line efficiency for this number of stations?