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A supplier making a part with a specified dimension of 50 mm + 0.3 mm changes the tolerance range to + 0.5 mm. Which of the following pairs correctly identifies the changes to the percentage of defective parts and the process capability index?
If the supplier changes the tolerance range from + 0.3 mm to + 0.5 mm, the specification range becomes wider, which means that more units will fall within the specification limits and fewer units will be defective. Therefore, the percentage of defective parts decreases.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. The percentage of defective parts decreases, and the process capability index decreases.
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The primary consideration in maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supply systems typically is:
Maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supply systems are systems that manage the inventory and procurement of the items that are used to support the production process, but are not part of the final product. MRO items include spare parts, tools, lubricants, cleaning supplies, safety equipment, and office supplies. The primary consideration in MRO supply systems typically is stockout costs. Stockout costs are the costs associated with the inability to meet the demand for an item due to insufficient inventory. Stockout costs can include lost sales, customer dissatisfaction, production downtime, emergency orders, and reputation damage. Stockout costs can be very high for MRO items, especially if they are critical for the operation and maintenance of the production equipment. Therefore, MRO supply systems should aim to minimize the risk of stockouts by ensuring adequate availability and accessibility of MRO items.
The cost accountant has discovered a consistent overage in actual run time for one operation. This information should be sent first to the:
The information about the consistent overage in actual run time for one operation should be sent first to the engineering manager to evaluate the run time for the routing. A routing is a document that specifies the sequence of operations and work centers required to produce a product or feature. A run time is the amount of time needed to perform an operation or a task at a work center. An overage in actual run time means that the actual time spent on an operation or a task is more than the planned or standard time. This can result in lower efficiency, productivity, or quality, as well as higher costs, waste, or delays.
The engineering manager is responsible for designing and maintaining the routing and the run time for each operation or task. The engineering manager can evaluate the run time for the routing by comparing the actual and planned times, identifying the causes of the overage, and taking corrective actions. For example, the engineering manager may:
Review the accuracy and validity of the planned or standard time, and update it if necessary.
Analyze the performance and capability of the machines, equipment, or labor involved in the operation or task, and improve them if needed.
Investigate the presence of any errors, defects, rework, or variability in the operation or task, and eliminate them if possible.
Implement lean production techniques, such as value stream mapping, waste reduction, or continuous improvement, to optimize the operation or task.
The other options are not appropriate for sending the information about the consistent overage in actual run time for one operation first. The product manager is not responsible for designing or maintaining the routing or the run time for each operation or task. The product manager is responsible for managing and marketing the product or feature, such as defining its specifications, features, price, or promotion. Increasing the selling price of the product is not a solution for addressing the overage in actual run time, as it may reduce customer demand or satisfaction, as well as increase competition. The quality manager is not responsible for designing or maintaining the routing or the run time for each operation or task. The quality manager is responsible for ensuring and improving the quality of the product or feature, such as setting quality standards, implementing quality control methods, or conducting quality audits. Adding a new quality measurement to the operation is not a solution for addressing the overage in actual run time, as it may increase complexity or cost without improving efficiency or productivity. The production supervisor is not responsible for designing or maintaining the routing or the run time for each operation or task. The production supervisor is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the production activities at a work center, such as scheduling operations, assigning resources, monitoring performance, or resolving issues. Reviewing and explaining the overage in actual run time is not a solution for addressing it, as it does not identify or eliminate its causes.
Potential reasons to make instead of buy a product may include:
Some of the potential reasons to make instead of buy a product may include:
Reduce cost: Making a product internally may reduce the total cost of ownership of the product, which includes not only the purchase price, but also the costs of transportation, inventory, inspection, warranty, and maintenance. Buying a product from an external supplier may incur higher total costs due to these factors.
Keep confidential processes within the firm: Making a product internally may protect the firm's proprietary or confidential processes that give it a competitive edge in the market. Buying a product from an external supplier may expose the firm's processes to potential imitation or leakage.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. maintain quality, reduce cost, and keep confidential processes within the firm.
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An increase in the scrap allowance in an assembled item will result in which of the following consequences?
Scrap allowance is a percentage or quantity of material that is expected to be lost or wasted during the production process. Scrap allowance is usually applied to the component items in a bill of materials (BOM), which is a document that lists the materials, quantities, and relationships required to produce an end item. An increase in the scrap allowance in an assembled item will result in replanning of the component items in material requirements planning (MRP), which is a system that calculates the timing and quantity of materials and resources needed to meet the production plan. Replanning of the component items in MRP means that the system will adjust the planned order releases, order quantities, and due dates of the component items to account for the increased scrap allowance. Replanning of the component items in MRP will ensure that enough material is available to meet the demand for the assembled item, and to avoid shortages or excess inventory.
Manufacturing flexibility can be measured by using:
Some of the benefits of reducing changeover time and increasing manufacturing flexibility are4:
Lower manufacturing costs: More value-added capacity can be unlocked because the equipment is idle for less time.
Higher customer satisfaction: Customers can get their products faster and with more variety.
Greater competitive advantage: The system can adapt to market changes and offer more customized products or services.
Improved quality and productivity: The system can avoid defects, waste, and errors that may occur during long or complex changeovers.
Single-minute exchange of die (SMED): A technique that aims to reduce changeover time to less than 10 minutes by converting internal setup activities (those that can only be done when the machine is stopped) to external setup activities (those that can be done while the machine is running), and streamlining both types of activities.
Total productive maintenance (TPM): A technique that involves maintaining and improving the equipment performance and reliability by involving all employees in preventive maintenance, autonomous maintenance, focused improvement, and quality management.
Quick response manufacturing (QRM): A technique that focuses on reducing lead times throughout the entire organization by applying the principles of time-based competition, cellular manufacturing, system dynamics, and enterprise-wide application.
Therefore, changeover time is a measure that can be used to evaluate the manufacturing flexibility of a system.
A technique to manage load variability would be to:
8 domains from the APICS CPIM-Part-2 exam outline, with approximate weightings. Every sample question above is tagged with the domain it comes from
Understand the business environment and develop corporate strategy aligned with supply chain design. Define and monitor KPIs to evaluate performance against strategic goals and identify supply chain risks including disruption, financial, environmental, and cyber threats.
Review aggregate demand and supply plans through the S&OP process. Reconcile portfolio, demand, supply, and financial plans to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
Determine customer needs and specifications while considering marketing and product management factors. Generate demand forecasts, monitor forecast performance, and respond to demand variation to maintain market alignment.
Create the master schedule and perform rough-cut capacity planning to inform production plans. Manage the material requirements plan, final assembly schedule, supplier relationships, and monitor product costs.
Execute inventory planning and management with focus on cost monitoring and inventory control implementation. Manage returns and product disposition to ensure efficient handling and cost-effectiveness.
Sample question from this domain above: Q2
Plan detailed schedules and create production and service schedules that align with supply plans. Implement and manage schedules effectively while scheduling incoming materials for smooth operations.
Plan distribution networks and manage customer orders to meet service requirements. Handle reverse logistics and ensure distribution processes align with customer needs and organizational goals.
Maintain quality standards and drive continuous improvement across supply chain operations. Manage and leverage technology to support ongoing enhancement and innovation within the supply chain.
Common questions about the exam itself