ANALYTICS EXERCISE: DESIGNING A MANUFACTURING PROCESS

A Notebook Computer Assembly Line

A manufacturing engineering section manager is examining the prototype assembly process sheet $($shown in Exhibit $6\mathrm{.}8)$ for his company$$s newest subnotebook computer model. With every new model introduced, management felt that the assembly line had to increase productivity and lower costs, usually resulting in changes to the assembly process. When a new model is designed, considerable attention is directed toward reducing the number of components and simplifying parts production and assembly requirements. This new computer was a marvel of high$-$tech, low$-$cost innovation and should give the company an advantage during the upcoming fall$/$winter selling season.