Question

Consider the following process that makes customized suits. When an order is placed, measurement is taken, which takes 30 minutes to complete. After taking the measurement, materials are prepared and cut, and this takes one hour. Once the materials are prepared and cut, the materials are sewed. Sewing takes 2.5 hours on average per order. The process operates for 10 hours a day. The following picture summarizes the process.
1. What is the capacity of the process in [suits/day]?
2. Assume that the demand for the customized suit is 0.2[suits/hour]. What should the flow rate of the process be in [suits/day]?
3. Assume that the demand for the customized suit is 0.5[suits/hour]. What is the implied utilization (in %) of the Sewing stage?
4. Assume that the demand for the customized suit is 0.5[suits/hour]. What is the utilization (in %) of the Measuring stage?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. The capacity of the process

= 2.5 suits /day

2. The flow rate of the process = 2.5 suits/10 hours

= 0.25 suits per hour

3. The implied utilization of the Sewing stage = (0.5 * 150 minutes  * 4) 300 minutes = 5/10

=  50%

4. The utilization of the Measuring stage = (0.5 * 30 minutes  * 4) 60 minutes =  1/10

= 10%

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Time taken for the measurement of a suit = 30 minutes

Time for preparation and cutting of materials = 60 minutes (1 hour)

Time for sewing = 150 minutes (2.5 hours or 2 hours, 30 minutes)

Total time taken to make a suit = 4 hours

Available production time per day = 600 minutes (6 hours)

Therefore, 6/4 suits can be produced per day, this equals 2.5 suits.