1.1. Calculation of Balance Number

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the formula for calculating the balance number of trucks?

   Hint

   Think about the times taken for each operation.

2. 2.

   If the truck cycle time is 39.5 and the loader cycle time is 5.5, what would the balance number be?

   Hint

   Divide the truck cycle time by the loader cycle time.

3. 3.

   What is the balance number calculated from a truck cycle time of 39.5 and a loader cycle time of 5.5?

   • 5
   • 7.18
   • 9

   Hint

   What result do you get when you perform the division?

4. 4.

   True or False: Increasing the number of trucks beyond the balance number always increases productivity.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about how a loader's capacity affects truck performance.

5. 5.

   A construction site has a truck cycle time of 45 minutes and a loader cycle time of 10 minutes. Calculate the balance number and discuss implications for productivity.

   Hint

   Make sure to consider the implications of overloading the system.

6. 6.

   Suppose the cost of the loader increases to 3,000 per hour while truck costs stay the same. Recalculate total production costs for 5 to 9 trucks and tell which offers the best unit production cost.

   Hint

   Be sure to recalculate productivity since the loader's cost has changed.