Question $7(20$ points$)$

Consider the production process illustrated above. The process consists of four steps that must be completed in sequential order to produce a single flow unit. There are two resource units that can perform Step $1$ as well as two resource units that can perform Step $3,$ which is reflected in the process flow diagram. At Step $2$ and Step $4,$ there is only a single resource. The time it takes each resource unit to complete the step is also shown on the diagram.

For example, at Step $1,$ it takes one of the resource units $30$ seconds to complete the step, and it takes the other $($more efficient$)$ resource only $20$ seconds to complete the same step.

Note: $1$ hour $=3600$ seconds

$($i$)$ What is the total capacity of the resource units in $($units$/$hr$)$ at each step? $(5$ points$)$

$($ii$)$ At which of the four steps is there a bottleneck resource pool? $(5$ points$)$

$($iii$)$ What is the overall process capacity? $(5$ points$)$

$($iv$)$ Suppose the demand for raw materials entering the process is $300$ units per hour. Given the process capacity you have calculated in step $3,$ what would the throughput be$?$ Additionally, explain where inventory would likely build up in the process.