A factory is dedicated to the production of one product. One unit of raw material is required for each unit of product. Two processes are required to produce the product, process 1, which feeds into process 2. A total of eight identical machines are available in the plant that can be set up to perform either process. Once set up, each machine will be dedicated to that process. For each machine that is set up for process 1, production rate is 10 units/hr. For each machine that is set up for process 2, the production rate is 6 units/hr. Both processes produce 100% good units (fraction defect rate 0). A work-in-process buffer is provided between the two processes to avoid starving and blocking of machines. The factory oper- ates 40 hr/week.
A) In order to maximize factory production, how many machines should be set up for process 1 and how many for process 2?
B) What is the factory's maximum possible weekly production rate of good product units?