Repeat the previous problem, but now assume that si = 3 at each station. Change the µi s so that the products si µi are the same as in the previous problem.
Referring to the multistation serial system in the Series Simulation.xlsm file, let si and 1/µi be the number of machines and the mean processing time at station i. Then the mean processing rate at station i is si µi . You might expect the system to operate well only if each siµi is greater than λ, the arrival rate to station 1. This problem asks you to experiment with the simulation to gain some insights into congestion. For each of the following parts, assume a Poisson arrival rate of λ = 1 per minute, and assume that processing times are exponentially distributed. Each part should be answered independently. For each, you should discuss the most important outputs from your simulation.
a. Each station has si = 1 and the µi s are constant from station to station. There are 100 (essentially unlimited) buffers in front of all stations after station 1. Each processing time has mean 1/µi = 0.6 minute and there are three stations.
b. Same as part a, except that there are 10 stations.
c. Same as part a, except that each processing time has mean 0.9 minute.
d. Same as part c, except that there are 10 stations.
e. Repeat parts a to d but now assume there are only two buffers in front of each station.