Mixed model two-sided assembly lines (MM2SAL) are applied to assemble large product models, which is produced in high-volume. So, the sequence planning of products to reduce cost and increase productivity in this kind of lines is imperative. The presented problem is tackled in two steps. In step 1, a framework is developed to select and prioritize customer orders under the finite capacity of th...

In this paper we are to present a practical application of Axiomatic Design (AD) methodology, as a roadmap to lean production, in redesigning a car body assembly line. Axiomatic Design theory provides a framework to simplify the whole problem. According to the AD principles, a hierarchical structure has been developed. The developed structure originated in lean manufacturing principles and exis...

A new hybrid tabu search (HTS) method for solving assembly line balancing problems is proposed in this paper. The tabu search (TS) method is combined with the genetic algorithm (GA) to identify and provide solutions for assembly line balancing problems. With the proposed HTS method, the TS method can well address the number of tasks assigned for each workstation, while the GA can also assign th...

We present a new mathematical model for the assembly line balancing problem with the objective of maximizing the line comfort to operators. Besides minimizing discrepancies between the ergonomic risks of workstations, balancing is subject to temporal and spatial conditions for the workstations. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, we compare it with other mathematical model whose ...

Robotic assembly line balancing (RALB) is specific for robotic assembly, where different robots require different assembly times to perform the same task because of their specialization. The problem includes optimal assignment of robots to line stations and balanced distribution of work between different stations. It aims at maximizing the production rate of the line. This problem is solved by ...

Certain types of manufacturing processes can be modelled by assembly line balancing problems. In this work we deal with a specific assembly line balancing problem that is know as the assembly line worker assignment and balancing problem (ALWABP). This problem appears in settings where tasks must be assigned to workers, and workers to work stations. Task processing times are worker specific, and...

In this paper, we present an extension to the TSALB problem (Time and Space constrained Assembly Line Balancing) with ergonomic risk restrictions. This ergonomic risk is defined from the task durations and their categories regarding to the risk factor for the workers. A study is presented through a case linked to an engine assembly line in the Automobile industry, considering variable demand.

We propose simple heuristics for the assembly line worker assignment and balancing problem. This problem typically occurs in assembly lines in sheltered work centers for the disabled. Different from the classical simple assembly line balancing problem, the task execution times vary according to the assigned worker. We develop a constructive heuristic framework based on task and worker priority ...

Although the simple assembly line balancing problem (SALBP) is the topic of many studies, typically they either consider minimizing the number of stations for a given cycle time (called type one), or minimizing the cycle time for a given number of stations (called type two). Rarely, type E of the problem has been considered. In the type E, cycle time and number of stations are both decision var...

In this paper, we propose a mathematical optimisation model to solve the simple assembly line rebalancing problem. This problem arises when an existing assembly line has to be rebalanced in order to meet new production requirements. In this paper, a Mixed Integer Program is proposed for solving this problem with the objective to minimize the number of changes in the initial line. The computatio...