The following diagram describes a process that consists of eight separate operat

Question

The following diagram describes a process that consists of eight separate operations, with sequential relationships and capacities (units per hour) as shown. Two types of input, A and B, are needed. A and B are processed by Operations 1, 2, and 3 and Operations 4, 5, and 6, respectively, before they are combined and processed by Operations 7 and 8.

1) What is the current capacity of the entire process?

2) If you could increase the capacity of only two operations through process improvement efforts, which two operations would you select, how much additional capacity would you strive for in each of those operations, and what would the resulting capacity of the entire process be?

Explanation / Answer

#1, 2, 3 which are the top and #4, 5, 6 which are bottom branch operate in parallel.

The top branch has a throughput of 10/hr and the bottom has a throughput of 5/hr.

These combine and feed into operation #7 which has the capacity to handle both branches as does the final step

The total throughput is the 10/hr plus 5/hr = 15/hr

The maximum throughput would be achieved by improving #1 and #2, bring them both up to 20/hr, which gives an overall throughput of 25/hr

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