Consider a process with four stations – Stations 2 & 3 have identical operations

Question

Consider a process with four stations – Stations 2 & 3 have identical operations, so any part after fabrication can go to either Station 2 or Station 3 based on availability. The following table shows the unit processing times:

Station 1

2 min/part

Station 2

3 min/part

Station 3

3 min/part

Station 4

1 min/part

Question 1) Which station is the bottleneck?

Question 2) If the throughput rate (demand rate) is 20 units/hr, what is the utilization of Station 2?

Please solve in excel if you can, please show work. Thank you

Station 1

2 min/part

Station 2

3 min/part

Station 3

3 min/part

Station 4

1 min/part

Assembly Station 2 Fabrication Station 1 Testing Station 4 Assembly Station 3

Explanation / Answer

1. Station 1 is the bottleneck.

Explanation: While the time taken by stations 2 and 3 is more, their work is divided, hence the average time taken = 1.5 min.

2. Net demand = 20 units/hour

As work is divided between 2 and 3, demand from 2 = 10 units/hour

Capacity of 2 = 20 units/hour(60/3)

Utilization = 10/20 = 0.5

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