(Chapter 7 Process Interruptions ) Aquatica makes underwater camera housings for divers. The process begins with a solid rectangular block of aluminum that is used to make a single housing. A Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine drills into the block to make the metal frame of the housing. The CNC machine requires a 45-minute setup time before the production of a batch can begin. Each block requires 15 minutes of drilling on the CNC machine. The frame is then chemically treated in a series of baths. There is unlimited capacity in the treating stage. Finally, a worker must manually attach the various buttons and components to the metal housing. This assembly takes 120 minutes per housing per worker and Aquatica has 6 workers trained to do this task. Assume unlimited demand. The process is shown below. Also, assume there is a buffer inventory between the stages of the process.

Drilling on CNC machine ===> Chemical Treatment====> Assembly

Question 1

Suppose the process is supply constrained and operates with batches of 38 housings, what is the average inventory of housings?

Group of answer choices

6.2 units

3.7 units

4.8 units

8 units

Question 2

What batch size would yield a CNC drilling capacity equal to the assembly capacity? (Hint: find first the assembly capacity)

Group of answer choices

20 housings

15 housings

4 housings

9 housings

Question 3

If the batch size is 38 housings, what would be the CNC's approximate capacity (in housings per hour)?

Group of answer choices

10 housings per hour

8 housings per hour

4 housings per hour

16 housings per hour