Q&A Hero

Q: As compared to rigid automation, the benefits of flexible manufacturing systems include: A. reduced labor requirements. B. higher efficiency. C. larger batch sizes. D. significantly lower fixed costs. E. significantly lower variable costs.

Q: The advantages of automation include: (I) reduced output variability. (II) reduced variable costs. (III) machines don't strike or file grievances. (IV) machines are always less expensive than human labor. A. I and IV B. II and III C. I, II, and III D. I and III E. II and IV

Q: Layout planning is required because of: (I) efficient operations. (II) accidents or safety hazards. (III) new products or services. (IV) morale problems. A. I and II B. II and IV C. I and III D. II, III, and IV E. I, II, III, and IV

Q: An operations strategy for process selection should recognize that: A. process selection seldom requires technical expertise. B. engineering "white elephants" are uncommon. C. there is little need to manage technology. D. flexibility is not always the best choice. E. most technical skills can be contracted out to consultants.

Q: The process of assigning tasks to workstations in such a way that the workstations have approximately equal time requirements is called: A. fair employment practices. B. idle time analysis. C. line balancing. D. cycle time optimization. E. capacity cycling.

Q: In which type of operation are you likely to see, at most, only minor variations in the product or service being produced using the same process and the same equipment? A. a project B. a job shop C. repetitive production D. batch processing E. intermittent production

Q: A group of machines including supervisory computer control, automatic material handling, and possibly robots is called: A. computer-aided design. B. a manufacturing cell. C. computer-aided manufacturing. D. computer-integrated manufacturing. E. a flexible manufacturing system.

Q: Computer-aided manufacturing refers to the use of computers in: A. product design. B. decision making. C. data analysis. D. quality control. E. process control.

Q: The substitution of machinery that has sensing and control devices for human labor is best described by the term: A. automation. B. feedback control. C. computer-aided manufacturing. D. computer-integrated manufacturing. E. flexible manufacturing system.

Q: Cellular layout is a term associated with: A. wireless telecommunication. B. part families. C. functional (or process) layouts. D. assembly lines. E. job shops.

Q: The type of processing system which is used for highly standardized products is: A. continuous. B. intermittent. C. project. D. batch. E. unit.

Q: Which of the following is not a process commonly considered in making products or delivering services? A. continuous B. batch C. repetitive D. job shop E. subcontracting

Q: Computer-integrated manufacturing integrates ______________ with manufacturing. A. information from across the organization B. demand forecasts C. marketing strategy D. human resources E. inventory levels

Q: In an environment in which demand is both substantial and stable, __________ technology tends to be the best choice. A. batch production B. fixed automation C. project production D. programmable automation E. flexible automation

Q: The estimation of costs is generally most difficult when the ___________ process has been chosen. A. project B. repetitive C. continuous D. batch E. job shop

Q: Job shops tend to be __________ while continuous processes tend to be __________. A. in services; in manufacturing B. short-term and capital intensive; long-term and labor intensive C. small scale and flexible; large-scale and inflexible D. standardized; customized E. low cost-per-unit; high cost-per-unit

Q: The key questions in the process selection task are: (I) How will the product/service be priced? (II) How much variety will be imposed on the process? (III) What is the target market for the product/service? (IV) At what volume will the process need to operate? A. I and III B. II and IV C. II and III D. I and IV E. III and IV

Q: Process choice is _________ driven. A. demand B. operations C. marketing D. process E. capacity

Q: When new products or services are being planned, process selection occurs as a matter of course. Process selection also comes into play as a result of: (I) technological changes. (II) competitive pressures. (III) fundamental changes in demand patterns. A. I only B. II only C. III only D. I and II but not III E. I, II, and III

Q: Key aspects of the process selection challenge include _________ and __________. A. information technology; marketing strategy B. process flexibility; marketing strategy C. capital intensity; process flexibility D. marketing strategy; operations strategy E. capacity planning; marketing strategy

Q: An advantage of a U-shaped production line is that it facilitates teamwork and flexibility in work assignments.

Q: The main issue in the design of process layouts concerns the relative positioning of the departments involved.

Q: Heuristic approaches to line balancing are the only approach that will guarantee an optimal solution.

Q: None of the approaches to line balancing, manual or computerized, guarantees an optimal solution.

Q: An idle percentage of zero means a line is perfectly balanced.

Q: The goal of line balancing is to assign tasks to workstations in such a way that the workstations have approximately equal time requirements.

Q: The minimum number of workstations for a production line is determined in part by the desired output rate.

Q: For a production line, daily capacity can be determined by dividing the daily operating time by the line's cycle time.

Q: "Balance delay" is another name for the percentage of idle time in a process layout.

Q: "Balance delay" is another name for the percentage of idle time in a product layout.

Q: Service layouts must be visually pleasing as well as functional.

Q: Mismatches between operational capabilities and market demand can have a negative impact on an organization.

Q: The percentage of idle time in an assembly line is called cycle time.

Q: Group technology is closely connected to cellular manufacturing.

Q: Among the benefits claimed for cellular manufacturing are less material handling and reduced setup time.

Q: In cellular manufacturing, machines and equipment are grouped by type (e.g., all grinders are grouped into a cell).

Q: A disadvantage of a product layout can be high in-process inventory costs.

Q: Accounting, purchasing, and inventory control are fairly routine with process layouts.

Q: A process layout is more susceptible to shutdowns caused by equipment breakdowns than a product layout.

Q: Information technology refers to competitive data.

Q: Process layouts feature departments or other functional groupings of personnel or equipment.

Q: Product layouts can more easily adapt to variations in product requirements than process layouts can.

Q: A manufacturing cell allows the production of a wide range of very different products.

Q: Product layouts involve high utilization of labor and equipment.

Q: A possible disadvantage of a product layout is an inflexible system.

Q: A cafeteria line would be an example of a process-focused layout.

Q: There are three basic process types: input, processing, and output.

Q: Morale problems can be a reason for redesign of a facility layout.

Q: Repetitive processing systems usually produce goods specifically for customer orders rather than for inventory.

Q: Flexible manufacturing systems bring the benefits of automation to continuous processes.

Q: The term "computer-aided manufacturing" refers primarily to the use of robotics in process control.

Q: Intermittent processing can take the form of batch processing or a job shop.

Q: Right-sized equipment tends to be larger than equipment used in traditional process layouts.

Q: Continuous production has been a significant factor underpinning the U.S. standard of living over the last century.

Q: In general, job-shop systems have a lower unit cost than continuous systems do because continuous systems use costly specialized equipment.

Q: Avoiding bottlenecks is the primary goal of product design.

Q: A job-shop processing system generally requires less-skilled workers than a continuous processing system.

Q: As a general rule, continuous processing systems produce products for inventory rather than for customer order.

Q: Continuous processing is the best way to produce customized output.

Q: Given the following process layout data for locating four departments (A, B, C, and D) in four areas (1, 2, 3, and 4): If transportation costs are $.25 per load per foot moved, what are total monthly costs for an optimum layout?

Q: Given the following line balance data: For eight hours of operating time per day and a desired output rate of 960 units per day, what is the efficiency for the balance which uses the minimum number of stations?

Q: Given the following line balance data: What is the appropriate cycle time for eight hours of operating time per day and a desired output rate of 960 units per day?

Q: Given the following line balance data: What is the maximum possible cycle time?

Q: Given the following line balance data: What is the minimum possible cycle time?

Q: Given the following process layout data for locating six departments in the six areas shown: What process layout(s) satisfy(ies) these closeness ratings?

Q: Given the following data: Determine the percentage idle time.

Q: Determine the minimum number of workstations needed for this situation: Operating time is 450 minutes per day. Desired output is 80 units per day. The sum of task times is 56 minutes.

Q: Given the information below, assign the departments A through I to locations in a 3 x 3 grid, with department E fixed in the lower right-hand corner. .

Q: Consider the following information: What is the anticipated efficiency?

Q: Consider the following information: What is the anticipated utilization?

Q: Consider the following information: What profit (loss) would there be for a quantity of 10,000?

Q: Consider the following information: What profit (loss) would there be for a quantity of 27,000?

Q: Consider the following information: What quantity would be required for a profit of $2,000?

Q: Consider the following information: What are total costs for the break-even quantity?

Q: Consider the following information: What are total revenues for the break-even quantity?

Q: Consider the following information:

Q: Given the following data for a make-or-buy decision: What would be your cost savings for the preferred alternative, for 32,000 units per year, compared to the other alternative?

Q: Given the following data for a make-or-buy decision:

Q: The utilization of a machine is 50 percent. The machine has a design capacity of 70 units per hour and an effective capacity of 60 units per hour. Find the efficiency of the machine.

Q: The efficiency of a productive unit is 60 percent. The unit produces an average of 20 forklift trucks per day. Determine the effective capacity of the unit.