Given the following data about an assembly line and the knowledge that we are trying to attain an output rate of 40 units per hour,what is the theoretical minimum number of stations?
A)4 or fewer stations
B)5 stations
C)6 stations
D)7 or more stations

Question

Given the following data about an assembly line and the knowledge that we are trying to attain an output rate of 40 units per hour,what is the theoretical minimum number of stations? 
A)4 or fewer stations 
B)5 stations 
C)6 stations 
D)7 or more stations

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To determine the theoretical minimum number of stations, we can use the formula N = (sum of task times)/(production rate). Using the data in the table, we find that the sum of the task times is 12.95 minutes or 0.216 hours (0.127+0.062+0.019+0+0.008). Dividing this by the desired production rate of 40 units per hour, we get N = 0.216/40 = 0.0054 hours per unit. To convert hours per unit to units per hour, we take the reciprocal: 1/0.0054 = 185.2 units per hour. This means that in theory, each station would need to produce 185.2/40 = 4.6 units per hour. Since we cannot have a fraction of a station, we would round up to 5 stations. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Given the Following Data About an Assembly Line and the Knowledge