i need to know the answer and the methods on how this question can be done a$)$ The Spodleigh Bicycle Company have developed a new bicycle called the

'Speedster'. This is manufactured mainly from carbon fibre materials which

means the cycle is exceptionally light and fast $($See Figure Qla $-$ parts view$).$ The

marketing department at Spodleigh are very excited about this new product and

want to market it as soon as possible. To facilitate this, they have produced a

sales forecast for the new bicycles and this is shown in Table Q$1$a$($ii$).$ The

challenge for the Manufacturing group is to design an assembly line configuration

and determine, which option is most efficient given the predicted sales forecost.

Assuming staff work a $40$ hour week for $48$ weeks per year you are required to

determine the following:

i$)$ Design a product layout $($Long thin$)$ for the assembly operation which

meets the requirements of the $1$st quarter production $(15$ Marks$)$

ii$)$ Using this layout, how many people are required to

manufacture$/$assemble the product? What is the balance loss and

potential output of this arrangement?

$(6$ Marks$)$

iii$)$ If a 'short fat' layout is used in the $1^{st}$ quarter, how many people would

be required to assemble the products? What is the balance loss and

potential output of this arrangement?

$(8$ Marks$)$

iv$)$ Which layout is needed to meet the increasing demand in Year $1$ and

why?

$(6$ Marks$)$

v$)$ What are the advantages and disadvantages of both 'long thin' and 'short

fat' layouts?

Table Q$1$a$($i$)$ Standard time for each task and build sequence

Table Q$1$a$($ii$)$ Sales forecast Year $1$