Decision making in operator-machine assignment problems: an optimization approach in U-shaped production lines

Decision-making is a complex problem in all fields of production, because decision makers have to find the most suitable solution alternative among numerous, while limited by multiple, usually conflicting constraints. In Industry 4.0 era, one widely used production lines are U-shaped lines, which focus on elimination waste through high utilization workers. It means, that worker-machine assignment plays significant role optimization processes line. The current investigation proposes novel absorbing Markov chain (AMC) approach support making regarding worker selection and assignment. proposed integrates AMC performance analysis process. numerical results validated model showed optimal can lead about 20% cost reduction, key indicators (KPI) line significantly increased. sensitivity influencing factors made it possible identify critical this problem, such as qualification operators, time technological logistics operations, maintenance policy.