3. A processor makes two components, A and B, which are then packaged together as the final product (each product sold contains one A and one B). The processor can do only one component at a time: either it can make As or it can make Bs. There is a setup time when switching from A to B. Current plans are to make 100 units of component A, then 100 units of component B, then 100 units of component A, then 100 units of component B, and so forth, where the setup time and run times for each component are given below. Assume the packing of the two components is totally automated and is small enough that you can ignore it. What is the average hourly output, in terms of the number of units of packaged product (which includes one component A and one component B)?

Question

Component A – Setup/Charge over Time is 5 minutes and Run Time/Unit is 0.2 minutes
Component B – Setup/Charge over Time is 10 minutes and Run Time/Unit is 0.1 minutes

I am having a hard time with this one. I don't know where to begin.

Answer 1

What the question is saying is that the production line
1. sets up for producing product A (takes 5 minutes),
2. produces 100 units of A (100*0.2 minutes)
3. switches to produce product B (10 minutes setup)
4. produces 100 units of B (100*0.1 minutes).
This cycle produces 100 units of A and 100 units of B, which can then be packaged to 100 units of the final product.

How much time in minutes is required to produce 100 units?
- Add up the time required for steps 1 to 4 which is the time required to produce 100 units.

Conversely, how many units are produced in an hour (60 minutes?)

Answer 2

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