Table 5.7
The Terminal Company is attempting to balance its assembly line of high-voltage electrical connectors. The desired output for the line is 50 connectors per hour, and the information on the work elements for this assembly line is as follows.

-Use the information from Table 5.7 to balance this line. What is the most efficient solution?
A) more than 90%
B) 80 - 90%
C) 70 - 79%
D) less than 70%

Question

Table 5.7
The Terminal Company is attempting to balance its assembly line of high-voltage electrical connectors. The desired output for the line is 50 connectors per hour, and the information on the work elements for this assembly line is as follows.
 
-Use the information from Table 5.7 to balance this line. What is the most efficient solution?
A) more than 90% 
B) 80 - 90% 
C) 70 - 79% 
D) less than 70%

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To balance the line, we need to calculate the cycle time (CT) and the theoretical minimum number of stations (N) required. 
CT = sum of all task times / desired output rate = (0.1+1.2+1.1+0.8+0.7)/50 = 0.058 hours = 3.5 minutes 
N = sum of task times / CT = (0.1+1.2+1.1+0.8+0.7)/0.058 = 41 stations (rounded up)

Therefore, the most efficient solution is when we use 41 stations, which is between 70% and 79% of the theoretical minimum. The answer is choice C.

Table 5.7 The Terminal Company Is Attempting to Balance Its Assembly Line