The maker of the world-famous Chocolate Chip Cookies needs to design a product layout for a new product, Mint Chocolate Chip. The company plans to use this new production line eight hours a day in order to meet projected demand of 1,440 cases per day. The following table describes the tasks involved in the production of a Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie. $$\begin{array} { l l l }
\text { Task } & \text { Time } ( \text { secs } ) & \text { Immediate Predecessor } \
\hline \mathrm { u } & 4 & \text { none } \
\mathrm { v } & 14 & \mathrm { u } \
\mathrm { w } & 12 & \mathrm {~V} \
\mathrm { x } & 12 & \mathrm {~V} \
\mathrm { y } & 6 & \mathrm { w } \
\mathrm { z } & 8 & \mathrm { x } , \mathrm { y }
\end{array}$$ For output to equal projected demand, what is the minimum number of workstations needed?
A) 6
B) 4.5
C) 3
D) 2.7
E) 2

Question

The maker of the world-famous Chocolate Chip Cookies needs to design a product layout for a new product, Mint Chocolate Chip. The company plans to use this new production line eight hours a day in order to meet projected demand of 1,440 cases per day. The following table describes the tasks involved in the production of a Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie. $$\begin{array} { l l l } 
\text { Task } & \text { Time } ( \text { secs } ) & \text { Immediate Predecessor } \
\hline \mathrm { u } & 4 & \text { none } \
\mathrm { v } & 14 & \mathrm { u } \
\mathrm { w } & 12 & \mathrm {~V} \
\mathrm { x } & 12 & \mathrm {~V} \
\mathrm { y } & 6 & \mathrm { w } \
\mathrm { z } & 8 & \mathrm { x } , \mathrm { y }
\end{array}$$ For output to equal projected demand, what is the minimum number of workstations needed?
A) 6
B) 4.5
C) 3
D) 2.7
E) 2

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The minimum number of workstations needed can be found by applying the assembly line balancing algorithm. 
Step 1: Calculate the cycle time for the production line. 
Cycle Time = (Available Production Time per day) / (Demand per day) 
Cycle Time = 8 hours x 60 minutes/hour x 60 seconds/minute / 1,440 cases/day 
Cycle Time = 20 seconds/case

Step 2: Compute the longest task time for each task. 
Task u: 4 seconds 
Task v: 14 seconds 
Task w: 12 seconds 
Task x: 12 seconds 
Task y: 6 seconds 
Task z: 8 seconds

Step 3: Compute the minimum number of workstations. 
Minimum Number of Workstations = (Sum of Task Times) / (Cycle Time)
Minimum Number of Workstations = (4 + 14 + 12 + 12 + 6 + 8) / 20 
Minimum Number of Workstations = 56 / 20 
Minimum Number of Workstations = 2.8

Since the number of workstations must be a whole number, the minimum number of workstations needed is 3. Therefore, the answer is C.

The Maker of the World-Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies Needs to Design