Part A:Single model and stage a is already set up$.$

How many cars can be produced by the system in an $8-$hour shift? How much idle time is there in this stage during such a shift? Which stage will you add capacity to$?$ And by how much? Why?

Without buffers, downtime at a stage affects the other stages immediately. This affects system output.

Assume a cost of $$5,000/$unit of storage capacity.

For example, a buffer to hold five semi$-$finished cars would cost $$25,000.$

Car A: $20$ min. setup down to $10$ min. Assume a cost of $$10,000$

Car B: $30$ min. downtime down to $15$ min.Assume a cost of $$20,000$

Would you reduce the setup time? If so which stages would you reduce the setup time? How much would this add to system capacity? Which is a better option and why?

What if we can do both $($i$.$e$.,$ add buffers and reduce setups$)?$ What is the increase to system capacity and at what cost?

If you now consider all three options $($the first two and the combined option$),$ what is the best solution here?

Part B

Model X Y and Z

Consider an $8-$hour shift per day and $6-$day per week operation.

Determine the batch sequence for the three models that will be processed through the week.

What happens to Part B analysis if you have a fourth model, Model W$,$ in the mix? How would your solution change to incorporate this additional model?