A company is designing a product layout for a new product. It plans to use this production line eight hours a day in order to meet projected demand of 480 units per day. The tasks necessary to produce this product are: $$\begin{array} { l l l }
\text { Task } & \text { Time (secs) } & \text { Immediate Predecessor } \
\hline \mathrm { u } & 30 & \text { none } \
\mathrm { v } & 30 & \mathrm { u } \
\mathrm { w } & 6 & \mathrm { u } \
\mathrm { x } & 12 & \mathrm { w } \
\mathrm { y } & 54 & \mathrm { x } \
\mathrm { z } & 30 & \mathrm { v } , \mathrm { y }
\end{array}$$ Without regard to demand, what is the minimum possible cycle time (in seconds) for this situation?
A) 162
B) 72
C) 54
D) 12
E) 60

Question

A company is designing a product layout for a new product. It plans to use this production line eight hours a day in order to meet projected demand of 480 units per day. The tasks necessary to produce this product are: $$\begin{array} { l l l } 
\text { Task } & \text { Time (secs) } & \text { Immediate Predecessor } \
\hline \mathrm { u } & 30 & \text { none } \
\mathrm { v } & 30 & \mathrm { u } \
\mathrm { w } & 6 & \mathrm { u } \
\mathrm { x } & 12 & \mathrm { w } \
\mathrm { y } & 54 & \mathrm { x } \
\mathrm { z } & 30 & \mathrm { v } , \mathrm { y }
\end{array}$$ Without regard to demand, what is the minimum possible cycle time (in seconds) for this situation?
A) 162
B) 72
C) 54
D) 12
E) 60

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The minimum cycle time is determined by the longest sequence of tasks, i.e. the critical path.

The critical path for this production line is: 
u-v-z

Total time for critical path = 30+30+6+30=96 seconds

Therefore, the minimum cycle time is 96 seconds which is closest to option C =54 seconds.

A Company Is Designing a Product Layout for a New