Chapter 3
Flow Systems, Activity
Relationships, and Space
Requirements
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-1
SECTION 3.1
3.1 Top Management: Alternative issues and strategies to consider in the analysis such as
layout classification, storage-handling strategies, organizational structure, and
SECTION 3.2
3.2 A material management system for a bank refers to the flow process into the bank. The
subjects of this system might include, but are not limited to, coin, currency, checks, other
3.3 The impact includes delivery of small lots, the elimination of paperwork due to electronic
3.4 Logistics encompasses the arrival and departure of parts and products, including the
SECTION 3.3
3.5 The basic layout of the hospital will depend on “who moves” and “who remains fixed” in
location. Actually, all subjects are candidates for movement, except for the most
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-2
3.6 Backtracking results in excessive flow or travel, longer lead-times, and complications in
scheduling. Backtracking may be avoided by duplicating machines, redefining the
3.7 Pros: simpler material handling equipment, shorter travel distances, less complex flow
3.8 Research Question: answer depends on the restaurant visited.
3.9 The answer may depend on the region in which the store is located; however, some basic
principles will likely apply. The ordering of the answers is up to the student.
The width of the aisles must be sufficient to allow for whatever means of material
movement is used.
3.10 Benefits of U-shaped flow in manufacturing cells include, but are not limited to,
3.11 The space requirements in terms of the shape of the department will be different. The
means of material handling will also change. In addition, switching from a straight line
3.12 Research Question: answer depends on the restaurant visited.
3.13 Research Question: answer depends on the individual.
3.15
3.17 Parallel parking advantages: space utilization and flow in one direction; okay if last-in,
A
C
D
B
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-4
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-5
SECTION 3.4
3.18 A group technology layout is a candidate for consideration when a medium volume of a
3.19 A fixed position layout would be recommended when the product is very large, awkward,
3.20 Group technology layout using manufacturing cells is popular in JIT facilities because
3.23
3.24
3.25
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-7
3.26
3.27
3.28 For the 1st presented solution of Problem 3.27:
There is sufficient capacity remaining in machine 4 in cell 2 to allow us to produce part 1
in that cell for the operation that requires machine 4. Therefore, as long as material
We could eliminate the duplicate of machine 1 in the second cell for the same reason as
in the 1st case.
3.29 Benefits: reduction of inventories, space, machine breakdowns, rework, paperwork,
3.30 Research Question: answer depends on problem statement.
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-9
3.31 A kanban is a signal, typically a card, that indicates to the supplying workstation that the
consuming workstation requests more parts. There are two types of kanbans: a production
3.32 Research Question: answer depends on article chosen.
SECTION 3.5
3.33
From-To Chart:
“Flow between,” expressed in equivalent loads/day, is depicted below. As noted, 90
equivalent loads move weekly between Marriage Licenses and the Lab (60 + 30). Given
the differences in numerical values a closeness rating was assigned, as shown in the
3.34 Functions:
Process improvement and quality activities
Training for improved cross-functionality
3.35 Research Question: answer depends on assumptions made.
Records
Marriage Licenses
Printing
Lab
E
U
U
O
I
A
Records
0
0
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-11
SECTION 3.6
3.36 Research Question: answer depends on the components in the kitchen and the eating
3.37
3.38 Using the sum of the distances it takes for each product to complete production routings
given in Problem 3.37, and assuming that it only takes one trip to transfer between each
department, we have the following:
3.39 Research Question: answer depends on student and professor.
3.40 Research Question: answer depends on services provided by and the organization of the
bank.
3.41 Research Question: answer depends on student’s perspective and the degree to which the
student interacts with the various activity areas listed.
3.42 Research Question: answer depends on student’s perspective of the professor and the
various roles played by the professor in question.
3.43 Typically, decreasing lot sizes increases the number of setups that must be performed.
D
C
A
B
Answers to Problems at the End of Chapter 3 3-12
3.44 Research Question: answer depends on the local fast-food restaurant chosen for study.