Problem 15-33 (Algorithmic)

Kolkmeyer Manufacturing Company is considering adding two machines to its manufacturing operation. This addition will bring the number of machines to ten. The president of Kolkmeyer asked for a study of the need to add a second employee to the repair operation. The arrival rate is 0.04 machines per hour for each machine, and the service rate for each individual assigned to the repair operation is 0.4 machines per hour.

a. (Do not need answer for part a.)

b. Compute the operating characteristics if a second employee is added to the machine repair operation (P0, Lq, L, Wq, W). If required, round your answers to four decimal places.

c. Each employee is paid $20 per hour. Machine downtime is valued at $75 per hour. From an economic point of view, should one or two employees handle the machine repair operation? Explain. If required, round your answers to two decimal places.

Cost of one employee system: $ Cost of two employees system: $ From an economic point of view,____________ should handle the machine repair operation.

Problem 15-33 (Algorithmic) Kolkmeyer Manufacturing Company is considering adding two machines to its manufacturing operation. This addition will bring the number of machines to ten. The president of Kolkmeyer asked for a study of the need to add a second employee to the repair operation. The arrival rate is 0.04 machines per hour for each machine, and the service rate for each individual assigned to the repair operation is 0.4 machines per hour. a. Compute the operating characteristics if the company retains the single-employee repair operation. If required, round your answers to four decimal places. Po = 0.2145 Lo = 1.3595 L 2.1450 Wa = 4.3268 hours W = 6.8268 hours b. Compute the operating characteristics if a second employee is added to the machine repair operation. If required, round your answers to four decimal places. Po = La = L Wg = hours W = hours c. Each employee is paid $20 per hour. Machine downtime is valued at $75 per hour. From an economic point of view, should one or two employees handle the machine repair operation? Explain. If required, round your answers to two decimal places. Cost of one employee system: $ Cost of two employees system: $ From an economic point of view, should handle the machine repair operation. dropdown one employee two employees