26 - Feasibility Studies

Question 1

Define lean manufacturing

Answer 1

Involves reducing waste in manufacture such as time, materials or idle machines

Question 2

How is computer modelling a central part of lean manufacture? (4)

Answer 2

• Allows for simulation and planning of the assembly line, workstations, cells and other elements
• Predictions of bottlenecks in production to help the planning of ‘buffer zones’ for temporary storage of partially completed work while slower tasks are undertaken
• Allows for cycle time calculation for production processes such as press forming
• Allows for ‘take time’ Calculation of the rate of production to meet customer demand e.g take time = production time/customer demand

Question 3

Spread calculating the cost of production (3)

Answer 3

• Direct costs such as materials and labour
• Indirect costs such as factory lighting, rent and salaries
• Spreadsheets also are used to predict sales to estimate profits and the return of the investment

Question 4

Define cycle time

Answer 4

Is the time taken to complete a manufacturing process

Question 5

Define take time

Answer 5

Is the maximum amount of time to manufacture a product to meet consumer demand

Question 6

Define feasibility study

Answer 6

The use of various methods to assess the practicality of a project

Question 7

Factors feasibility studies look at (5)

Answer 7

• Technical - What resources and technologies are required
• Economic - what costs will be incurred? will it be profitable?
• Market - What is demand? Who are the competitors?
• Legal - which laws and regulations apply?
• Production - management of manufacture and labour

Question 8

How can computer modelling test the feasibility of a kitchen layout? (3)

Answer 8

• Units and appliances can be freely arranged in a variety of configurations
• Assessment of ‘working triangle’ layout, and efficiency of spacing of appliances and accessibility of units
• Customers can be shown 3D simulations of kitchen layouts

Question 9

Importance of prototypes

Answer 9

• They allow designers and potential customers to test the feasibility of products and provide feedback prior to commercial decisions about production
• For example a prototype of a coffee cup carrier can be tested for ease of use, strength and effectiveness of graphics

Question 10

Define prototype

Answer 10

A functioning or non functioning pre-production design evaluation model

Question 11

Example of a full size working prototype to test feasibility of a product (2)

Answer 11

• Aircrafts
• This is to assess the function and accessibility of critical parts that require maintenance as well as non-working cockpit mockups to assess sustainability for appropriate anthropometric ranges

Question 12

Economic factor of feasibility studies

Answer 12

All projects must be financially viable to attract investors and operate sustainably

Question 13

How should a feasibility study look at the proposed market (5)

Answer 13

• Profile the target market, their needs, spending habits etc
• Research existing or similar products e.g usp
• What is the best marketing and advertising strategy
• Study current and emerging demands
• Estimate sales figures and how the product will be sold

Question 14

Production and logistics (4)

Answer 14

• a feasibility study should analyse how the design, manufacture and distribution of the product should be managed including:

• Identifying the appropriate locations, processes and the scale of product
• Establishing the experience and skills required from staff
• It could also indicate how best to structure the company

Question 15

Legal factors (3)

Answer 15

• A feasibility study should ensure the relevant quality and safety standards for a product can be observed
• Environmental and social standards must be met e.g sourcing/disposal of materials, workers’ pay and conditions
• The intellectual property for the product may need protection