The average part produced in a certain batch manufacturing plant must be processed sequentially through six machines on average. Twenty (20) new batches of parts are launched each week. Average operation time = 6 min., average setup time = 5 hours, average batch size = 25 parts, and average non operation time per batch = 10 hr/machine. There are 18 machines in the plant working in parallel. Each of the machines can be set up for any type of job processed in the plant. The plant operates an average of 70 production hours per week. Scrap rate is negligible. Determine
(a) Manufacturing lead time for an average part,
(b) Plant capacity,
(c) Plant utilization.
(d) How would you expect the non operation time to be affected by the plant utilization?