Answer :
a) Lathe-Lathe-Drill Press-Drill Press is the most efficient sequence for producing these parts to minimize production time.
1. Lathe-Lathe-Drill Press-Drill Press: This sequence groups similar operations together. Grouping operations can reduce the setup and transition time between different machine types.
However, it may cause a bottleneck if one machine type's operation is significantly faster/slower than the other machine type's operation.
2. Drill Press-Drill Press-Lathe-Lathe: This is similar to option (a), but with Drill Press operations first. The same pros and cons apply.
3. Lathe-Drill Press-Lathe-Drill Press: This sequence alternates between the two machine types. It might reduce the transition time if the operations need different setups or if parts need cooling down between operations. However, it might introduce frequent machine setup changes which could increase the overall production time.
4. Drill Press-Lathe-Drill Press-Lathe: This is similar to option (c) with the same alternating sequence but starting with the Drill Press.
Considering general practice, the answer is Option (a): Lathe-Lathe-Drill Press-Drill Press because this sequence capitalizes on minimizing machine changeovers, thereby reducing total production time in typical manufacturing scenarios.
Final answer:
The most efficient sequence for minimizing production time is Lathe-Drill Press-Lathe-Drill Press. The correct answer is c).
Explanation:
The most efficient sequence for producing the four parts to minimize production time is option c) Lathe-Drill Press-Lathe-Drill Press.
This sequence allows for the optimal utilization of the lathe and drill press machines. Using the lathe twice in a row minimizes setup time and maximizes efficiency.
The drill press is used once in the middle and once at the end to complete the production process for the four parts.
Assuming production technology 3 offers this advantage, as it has the lowest total cost, and considering that with cheaper machine hours there would be a shift towards more machine use and less labor, sequence c) Lathe-Drill Press-Lathe-Drill Press could potentially be the most efficient choice.
