Consider the following batch flow process consisting of three process steps performed by three machines:

Work is processed in batches at each step. Before a batch is processed at step 1, the machine has to be set up. During a setup, the machine is unable to process any product.

(a) Assume that the batch size is 50 parts. What is the capacity of the process?

Worksheet ___ units/hr?

(b) For a batch size of 10 parts, which step is the bottleneck for the process?

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

(c) What batch size would you choose?

Batch size is ___ units?

(d) Suppose the batch size is 40 parts. What would be the average inventory after step 1?

Inventory is ___ units?

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Processing Time: 1 Minute Part Processing Time: 2 Minutes/Part Processing Time: 1.5 Minutes Part Setup Time: 20 Minutes No Setup No Setup