Palletizer Operation: Maximizing Efficiency

How many palletizers can one operator tend without creating idle time?

What is the maximum number of palletizers one operator can tend without creating idle time for the palletizer?

Final answer:

The maximum number of palletizers one operator can tend without creating idle time for the palletizer is 3.

Explanation: To determine the maximum number of palletizers one operator can tend without creating idle time for the palletizer, we first need to calculate the total time spent by the operator per cycle. This would include the time spent on reprogramming the palletizer, restocking the machine with empty pallets, and travel time between palletizers plus data entry.

Reprogramming time: 4 minutes

Restocking time: 5 minutes

Travel and data entry time: 3 minutes

Thus, the total time spent per cycle is 4 + 5 + 3 = 12 minutes. The palletizer operates automatically for 40 minutes. So, during this cycle, an operator can handle multiple palletizers as long as the total time spent does not exceed 40 minutes. Therefore, the maximum number of palletizers one operator can tend without creating idle time is 40 minutes ÷ 12 minutes = 3.33. Since we cannot have a fraction of a palletizer unit, the operator can tend a maximum of 3 palletizers without generating idle time.