Question

1. Michael James works in a factory producing small parts for the electronics industry. In the process of assembly, he needs 30 minutes to assemble the first part. If his learning curve rate is 65%, how many units will be produced before the output rates exceeds 12 units per hour?

Answer 1

Output per hour=12

Time required to make one unit=60/12=5 minutes

Time should be less than 5 minutes.

Let xth be the unit number at which objective is met,

Learning percentage=b=65%=0.65

Time needed in making first part=K=30 minutes

According to learning curve

Time needed to make xth unit, Y_x=Kxⁿ

where n=logb/log2=lon(0.65)/log(2) =-0.62149

So, plug in the given numbers

5=30*(x)^-0.62149

5*x^0.62149=30

x^0.62149=6

x=6^1/0.62149

x=17.86

It means 17 units should be produced before the output rates exceeds 12 units per hour. On 18th unit, output rate exceeds 12 units per hour.