4.* Abbott Manufacturing produces plastic cases for solar photovoltaic panels and has decided to combine orders from customers to increase work order size and
thereby make one large production run per model type. Plastic injection molding machines are used to make these parts and it is time consuming to clean and
re-setup the machines between production runs. Each molding machine and operator works one nine-hour shift with a one-hour lunch break and one-half hour for
operator breaks.
Consolidated Work Orders
Work Order Quantity
Setup (Changeover) Time per Work Order (Minutes)
Processing Time per Panel (Seconds)
Model XVT-5 Case
11500
panels
90
2.15
Model UYT-3 Case
6500
60
1.78
Model KLY-6 Case
8800
150
3.31
What is the total workload (demand) in hours for this work order mix? How many machines will it take to do this work in one two or three days? How might this
process be improved?