Circuit Board Fabricators, Inc. is a small manufacturer of circuit boards located in California. (Chase, Jacobs, and Aquilano, 2004) Large computer companies such as Apple and Hewlett-Packard hire Circuit Board Fabricators to "make boards for prototypes of new products." (Chase, et al., 2004) The case study suggests that Circuit Board Fabricators has a good business plan established within the organization. CBF has implemented a largely automated process using industry standard codes to produce the four circuit boards that have been developed to be able to give quick and high quality service.

There have been recent losses experienced by CBF, due to the system that is currently in place. The policy has changed and all orders placed now are being increased by 25%. The policy now places stress on the running system. On a highly-productive day, the plant produces 700 circuit boards, but "was designed to run 1,000 boards per day when running five days a week and one eight-hour shift per day." CBF has hired a consultant to discuss the reasons why they are not able to produce 1,000 boards per day as created. The following analysis will address the process flow structure, the capacity of the process, losses of the process, short and long-term recommendations for improvement opportunities.

Case Question #1: What type of process flow structure is CBF using?

Case Question #2: Diagram the process in a manner similar to Exhibit 5.15.

Case Question #3: Analyze the capacity of the process?

Case Question #4: What is the impact of losses in the process in Inspection and Final Test?

Question #5: What recommendations would you make for a short-term solution to CBF's problems?

Question #6: What long-term recommendations would you make?

Identify the top three process improvement opportunities

Determine if these improvement opportunities can be applied to your workplace? If so, how? If not, why not?

Attachment:- Case - Circuit Board Fabricators.pdf