Suppose a lean engineer creates an “interim” machining cell, run by one operator initially, and the machines are all single-cycle-automatic type (SCA). The cell layout and its operating times are shown below.
Unloading the machined part, visually inspecting the part, deburring, loading next part, etc. Time to walk from machine to machine.
Assuming this cell is run by one operator, what is the NCT of the cell, in seconds/part?
What is the production rate, using your NCT, in parts/hour? Round to one decimal place.
Assume the stock-on-hand (SOH) in this cell consists of one unit at each machine. For now, ignore any WIP in the decouplers. For one part moving through the cell with one operator, what is the throughput (in seconds)? No decimal places. Throughput is often referred to as Lead Time.
If we activate the four decouplers shown in the layout, and on average there is 0.9 units of WIP at each decoupler, what is the throughput (in seconds)? No decimal places. Assume there is still one operator, working in MO-CO-MOO fashion.
Assume the takt time decreases so that the NCT must be reduced accordingly. If you add a second operator, what is the approximate NCT, in seconds/part?
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