Question

Question 1.1 5 marks Flow systems can often be represented conveniently by means of an input / output diagram, such as the one shown in figure 1. Classify the following aspects of a photocopy machine's operation by entering each code letter (A to H) in the appropriate box in figure 1 red coloured printer paper [A] [B not enough ventilation (an unpleasant odour is a consequence of this) [C] blockage in 2-sided inner mechanism D near-empty toner cartridge warning [E toner on fingers after handling cartridge (difficult to wash off, soils clothing) machine can produce stapled documents [F] noise produced by stapling sub-system (complaints received from nearby workers) [G] [H paper thickness variations from new supplier (an increase in machine jams is observed) Environmental Inputs (uncontrolled or unpredictable) Purposeful Inputs (controlled or predictable) Desired Outputs Photocopy machine Undesired Outputs Figure 1. Input/output diagram

Answer 1

The aspects can be classified as follows

Purposeful Inputs

A) Red coloured printer paper. It is the main material requirement of the machine.

Environmental Input

​​​​​B) not enough ventilation

G) noise produced by stapling sub system

H) Paper thickness variations

Noise and ventilation are main environmental factors. Variations is paper thickness also comes under this as it is due to external cause ( supplier ).

Desired Output

F) Machine can produce stapled documents

D) Near empty toner cartridge warning ( Machine provides feedback so as to replace cartridge beforehand )

Undesired output

C) Blockage in inner mechanism ( undesired as it reduces productivity )

E) Toner on fingers after handling cartridge ( undesired as it difficult to clean off )

Hope it helps.