Linear Optimization

Klein Industries manufactures three types of portable air compressors: small, medium, and large, which have unit profits of $20.50, $34.00, and $42.00, respectively. The projected monthly sales are:

 

	Small	Medium	Large
Minimum	14000	6200	2600
Maximum	21000	12500	4200

 

The production process consists of three primary activities: bending and forming, welding, and painting. The amount of time in minutes needed to process each product in each department is shown below:

 

	Small	Medium	Large	Available Time
Bending/forming	0.4	0.7	0.8	23,400
Welding	0.6	1	1.2	23,400
Painting	1.4	2.6	3.1	46,800

 

How many of each type of air compressor should the company produce to maximize profit?

 

a. Formulate and solve a linear optimization model using the auxiliary variable cells method and write a short memo to the production manager explaining the sensitive information.

b. Solve the model without the auxiliary variables and explain the relationship between the reduced costs and the shodow prices found in part a.