Question

3.2 Explain the importance of machine availability in achieving production target. How is it calculated? 3.3 Derive the formula for calculating machine hourly rate. [20 QUESTION 4 4.1 Explain typical assembly operations performed on a manual assembly line 4.2 Explain the line balancing problem in assembly lines. Explain how element times are compiled for an assembly operation

Answer 1

3.2 Answer :

Machine availability is the most important factor in achieving production target because it accounts for when the process is not running (both Unplanned Stops and Planned Stops) i.e., it simply indicates for what fraction of time a machine is available for production in respect of planned production time . And if an organisation or a company is not meeting its production target , we can find the reason by looking at the machine availability that which machine was available for what time and what was the reason for its breakdowns , if any .

Availability is calculated as the ratio of Run Time to Planned Production Time:

Availability = Run Time / Planned Production Time

and

Run Time = Planned Production Time − Stop Time  

where ,

Stop Time is defined as all time where the manufacturing process was intended to be running but was not due to Unplanned Stops (e.g., Breakdowns) or Planned Stops(e.g., Changeovers).