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Industrial Engineering
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Apr 3, 2024
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7
Uploaded by PresidentMusic13841
Katelyn Fossett
02/28/2024
IE 427
IE 427 HW # 3 Chapters 5 & 6
Chapter 5
1. How does the batch size affect the average inventory?
The Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model helps us find the optimal batch size, minimizing
total inventory costs like holding and ordering costs. Smaller batches may increase ordering costs
but reduce holding costs, while larger batches may lower ordering costs but raise holding costs.
In manufacturing, larger production batches may lead to higher average inventory levels if
demand doesn't align. Batch size influences reorder points and lead times, with larger batches
potentially extending lead times. Smaller batches can increase inventory turnover, while larger
ones may require more storage space, impacting holding costs. The relationship depends on
ordering policies, production processes, demand patterns, and costs, as organizations seek a
balance for cost efficiency using the EOQ model.
2. Explain the tradeoff between setup cost and carrying cost.
The tradeoff between setup costs and carrying costs is a critical aspect of inventory management,
particularly in the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model. Setup costs, incurred with each order
or production batch, decrease as batch sizes increase but can rise due to infrequent orders. On the
other hand, carrying costs, associated with holding inventory, increase with larger batch sizes due
to higher inventory levels but decrease with smaller batches. The challenge lies in finding the
optimal balance, known as EOQ, where the total costs of setup and carrying costs are minimized.
This equilibrium ensures efficient and cost-effective inventory control by determining the right
order or production batch size.
3. Discuss the effects of reducing the size of process batches.
Reducing the size of process batches in manufacturing offers advantages such as increased
flexibility, lower inventory levels, and quicker response times to market changes. Smaller
batches can lead to improved quality control, more efficient resource utilization, and a reduction
in environmental impact through minimized waste. However, this approach may result in higher
per-unit production costs due to increased setup expenses, and careful consideration is needed to
strike a balance between batch size and cost-effectiveness. While smaller batches enhance
adaptability and reduce lead times, managing potential challenges like setup costs and scalability
is crucial for optimizing operational efficiency and achieving overall success.
4. A manufacturer buys cardboard boxes from a supplier. The annual demand is 36,000 boxes
and is uniformly distributed. The boxes cost $4 each. The estimated order cost is $6, and the
carrying cost rate is 30% per year.
A.
What is the EOQ and what is the annual order and carrying cost?
H = 0.3*4 = 1.2
EOQ = sqrt(2DS/H)
EOQ = sqrt((2*36,000*6)/1.2)
EOQ = 600
OC = D/EOQ * S
OC = 36,000/600 * 6 = 60 * 6 = 360
CC = EOQ/2 * H = 600/2 * 1.2 = 360
TC = 360 + 360 = 720
B.
How many times a year are orders placed, and what is the average time, in weeks,
between orders?
N = D/EOQ = 36,000/60 = 60
T = 1/N * 52 = 1/60 * 52 = 0.867
C. Using the answer from (b), if you round the average time between orders to the nearest
week, what should the order quantity be? Would you recommend using this order
quantity and time interval?
If we round the average time between orders to the nearest week, resulting in an interval
of 1 week, the recommended order quantity is approximately 692 boxes. However, it's
essential to note that this recommendation is based on rounding for simplicity and may
deviate from the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) calculated earlier, which was
approximately 600 boxes. The EOQ is a formula that minimizes total inventory costs, and
while rounding the time interval provides a straightforward approach, it may not
necessarily lead to the most cost-effective order quantity. Therefore, in practical
inventory management, it is generally recommended to use the calculated EOQ to ensure
optimal balance between order and carrying costs.
5. Suppose the actual demand turns out to be 72,000 boxes instead of 36,000 boxes. If you had
used the EOQ from the previous problem, what would the annual order and carrying cost be?
What percent larger is this cost than the cost estimated in (a)? What can you conclude about the
cost of an incorrect demand estimate?
H = 0.3*4 = 1.2
EOQ = sqrt(2DS/H)
EOQ = sqrt((2*72,000*6)/1.2)
EOQ = 849
OC = D/EOQ * S
OC = 72,000/849 * 6 = 51 * 6 = $306
CC = EOQ/2 * H = 849/2 * 1.2 = $509.4
TC = 306 + 509.4 = $815.4
Percent Increase = ((AC - EC)/EC) * 100 = ((815.4 - 720)/720) * 100 = 13.25%
In conclusion, an inaccurate demand estimate can significantly inflate costs. In this case, where
the actual demand was twice the initial estimate, it led to a cost increase of around 13.25%. This
underscores the crucial role of precise demand forecasting in effective inventory management,
emphasizing the need for minimizing costs and optimizing order quantities through accurate
predictions.
Chapter 6
1. Discuss the cost, quality, time, and flexibility ramifications of reducing setup times.
Reducing setup times in manufacturing has multifaceted benefits. It leads to cost savings by
minimizing downtime and lowering labor costs associated with setups. The improved
consistency in production processes results in higher product quality and reliability, reducing the
likelihood of defects. Additionally, shorter setup times increase production throughput, enabling
a faster response to changes in demand or product specifications. This enhanced agility
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