a$)$ What is meant by the 'ABC Inventory Classification Method'? $[7$ marks$]$

$($b$)$ What strategies should be used for the control of different class of inventory items?

$[18$ marks$]$

Question B$3$

$($a$)$ Compare the different approaches toward production capacity utilisation from JIT practice and

traditional production management? Explain why JIT become more acceptable practice in

industry.

$[20$ marks$]$

January $2021$ Page $3$ of $3$

$($b$)$ A $20-$station transfer line is designed for an operation process at a production rate of $50$

pieces per hour at $100\%$ efficiency. It is estimated that breakdown probability of each station

is equal to $0\mathrm{.}005$ per cycle and average downtime will be $6$ minutes. Calculate the production

rate and efficiency of the production line.

$[5$ marks$]$

Question B$\mathrm{.}4$

a$)$ How would you judge an automated manufacturing system is flexible by $4$ flexibility tests?

$[8$ marks$]$

$($b$)$ Use simple sketch to illustrate different types of FMS layout configurations. Compare their

advantages and disadvantages in terms of their usage, space utilisation, transportation

efficiency, flexibility, complexity, implementation, and cost. $[17$ Marks$]$