Final answer:
The evaluation of adding a parallel machine at station 3 in terms of throughput time and cost efficiency is a business question related to production technology and operations management. The company aims to lower costs by increasing machine use, thereby affecting system efficiency and waiting times.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around evaluating the operations management of a company, specifically concerning the throughput time and production technology after the addition of a parallel machine to a workstation. The system that should be chosen is production technology 3, which offers the lowest total cost. The information given suggests that there is a focus on reducing labor costs by utilizing more machines, which is a common strategy when machines are cheaper to operate than human labor. The example of the Sky Train operating on a uniform distribution schedule and Richard's Furniture Company's delivery schedule provides context on the variability of waiting times and the importance of optimizing operations.
Adding a parallel machine at station 3 is likely to reduce the throughput time because it increases the capacity at that processing point and should reduce bottlenecks. To calculate the specific throughput time change, one would need additional data about the processing times at each station and how they are affected by the addition of the parallel machine.