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2.2. Cost Calculation for 6 Scrapers

Interactive Audio Lesson

Session 1: Understanding Scraper Dynamics

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Sarah
SarahInstructor

Today, we’re going to kick off by discussing the use of 5 scrapers. Who can tell me what happens when we have fewer scrapers than needed?

Noah
Noah

I think the scrapers would be busy and might control the production pace.

Sarah
SarahInstructor

Exactly! That's a key point. With 5 scrapers, they end up controlling the production since there are fewer than ideal. This results in the scrapers becoming the critical component.

Isabella
Isabella

But what about the pusher?

Sarah
SarahInstructor

Great question! The pusher will have idle time while waiting for the scrapers to load. So, as you see, productivity suffers with this arrangement. If we now did some calculations, we can estimate the productivity.

Akash
Akash

How do we actually calculate that productivity?

Sarah
SarahInstructor

"We use the formula:

Session 2: Exploring the Situation with 6 Scrapers

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Robert
RobertInstructor

Now, what changes when we consider using 6 scrapers instead of 5?

Isabella
Isabella

The situation flips, and the pusher becomes critical, right?

Robert
RobertInstructor

Exactly! With more scrapers than needed, the scrapers might not be utilized fully, leading to the pusher controlling production. Let’s see how we calculate the productivity in this case too.

Akash
Akash

Is the formula different?

Robert
RobertInstructor

The formula remains the same, but we change the values. Now reuse the cycle time that the pusher utilizes, to find the new productivity. Can anyone remind us of that cycle time for the pusher?

Ananya
Ananya

It’s 1.37 minutes, right?

Robert
RobertInstructor

Correct! Let’s run the numbers. We multiply efficiency by volume and number of scrapers, then divide by the pusher’s cycle time.

Noah
Noah

So, that’s 723.36 bank cubic meters per hour?

Robert
RobertInstructor

Absolutely! So, we can see that using 6 scrapers increases productivity. However, let’s think about cost.

Session 3: Cost Discussion and Comparison

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Sarah
SarahInstructor

Now let's compare the costs associated with both setups. What should we keep track of?

Isabella
Isabella

We need to consider the cost per bank cubic meter for both 5 and 6 scrapers.

Sarah
SarahInstructor

Exactly! Each scenario has its own hourly operation costs. Can anyone summarize what the costs per hourly use were?

Akash
Akash

The pusher cost is ₹5600 per hour, and the scraper costs ₹4500 per hour.

Sarah
SarahInstructor

Perfect! Now, how do we calculate the unit production cost when using 5 scrapers?

Ananya
Ananya

It’s the total hourly cost divided by the productivity, right?

Sarah
SarahInstructor

Yes! So, plugging in the values gives us the cost for 5 scrapers at ₹44.12 per bank cubic meter, compared to ₹45.07 if we use 6.

Noah
Noah

So, even though 6 scrapers are more productive, they actually cost more.

Sarah
SarahInstructor

That’s the crux! It emphasizes the importance of balancing cost versus productivity for decision-making in operations.