Question $3$:

A carousel storage system is to be designed to serve a mechanical assembly plant. The specifications on the system are that it must have a total of $400$ storage bins and a throughput of at least $125$ storage and retrieval transactions$/$hr$.$ Two alternative configurations are being considered: $(1)$ a one$-$carousel system and $(2)$ a two$-$carousel system. In either case, the width of the carousel is to be $4\mathrm{.}0ft$ and the spacing between carriers $=2\mathrm{.}5ft.$ One picker$-$operator will be required for the one$-$carousel system and two picker$-$operators will be required for the two$-$carousel system. In either system, $vc=75f\frac{t}{m}in.$ For the convenience of the picker operator, the height of the carousel will be limited to five bins. The standard time for a pick$-$and$-$deposit operation at the load$/$unload station $=0\mathrm{.}4$min if one part is picked or stored per bin and $0\mathrm{.}6$min if more than one part is picked or stored. Assume that $50\%$ of the transactions will involve more than one part. Determine:

$3\mathrm{.}1.$ The required length of the one$-$carousel system and

$3\mathrm{.}2.$ The corresponding throughput rate;

$3\mathrm{.}3.$ The required length of the two$-$carousel system and

$3\mathrm{.}4.$ The corresponding throughput rate.

$3\mathrm{.}5.$ Which system better satisfies the design specifications?

Question $4$:

Your company is considering implementing a single$-$station manned cell for a new production line.

$4\mathrm{.}1.$ Describe the features and advantages of a single$-$station manned cell.

$4\mathrm{.}2.$ Explain why a single$-$station manned cell might be the preferred choice over other manufacturing systems.

$4\mathrm{.}3.$ Describe the key enablers