In line balancing and Lean Six Sigma production systems, customer demand is represented by takt time, which is the maximum allowable cycle time for each station in order to meet demand. Any station with a cycle time less than or equal to takt time is capable of meeting customer demand, while stations exceeding takt time create bottlenecks and prevent the line from keeping up with demand.
From the chart, the takt time is shown as approximately 30 seconds. The cycle times of the stations are:
Station 1 = 50 (above takt, cannot meet demand)
Station 2 = 30 (equal to takt)
Station 3 = 20 (below takt)
Station 4 = 50 (above takt)
Station 5 = 20 (below takt)
Station 6 = 25 (below takt)
However, the question asks which station is meeting customer demand, meaning the station that is aligned with the takt requirement for balanced flow. A station operating exactly at takt time represents a perfectly balanced station, matching customer demand without overproduction or idle capacity.
Station 2 operates at 30 seconds, which matches the takt time exactly.
Therefore, the correct answer is B (Station 3)? Wait actually—since the options given are 2, 3, 5, 6 and Station 2 equals takt time, the station that directly meets customer demand is Station 2.