1. Example: Designing an asynchronous prod. line
Design of a new 4-station assembly line for circuit board assembly.
The four consecutive stations and the currently considered “technology options” for them (each option defines the processing rate in pieces per hour, the CV of the processing time, and the cost per unit in thousands of dollars).
The above data correspond to the effective processing times.
Each station can employ only one technology option.
The maximum production rate to be supported by the line is 1000 panels / day.
The desired average cycle time through the line is one day.
One day is equivalent to one 8-hour shift.
Workpieces will go through the line in totes of 50 panels each, which will be released
into the line at a constant rate determined by the target production rate.
Design task: Identify a line configuration that meets the above requirements while
minimizing the equipment cost.
Also, estimate the expected WIP at every station, when the line is operated at
maximum production rate.