An Analytical Approach for Single and Mixed-Model Assembly Line Rebalancing and Worker Assignment Problem

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

2 Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

Abstract

In this paper, an analytical approach is used for assembly line rebalancing and worker assignment for single and mixed-model assembly lines based on a heuristic-simulation algorithm. This approach helps to managers to select a better marketing strategy when different combinations of demands are suitable.Furthermore, they can use it as a guideline to know which worker assignment is better for each combination. We show the efficiency of the proposed approach for single and mixed-model assembly lines using different benchmarked standard test problems with different number of tasks, stations, skilled workers and demands. Comparisons show the heuristic-simulation algorithm is faster than the GAMS software, and its results are optimum or very close to the optimum values.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Battaïa, O., & Dolgui, A. (2013). A Taxonomy of Line Balancing Problems and Their Solution Approaches. International Journal of Production Economics 142(2), 259–277.
Blum, C., & Miralles, C. (2011). On Solving the Assembly Line Worker Assignment And Balancing Problem Via Beam Search", Computers & Operations Research 38, 328–339.
Borba, L., & Ritt, M. (2014). A Heuristic and a Branch-And-Bound Algorithm for the Assembly Line Worker Assignment and Balancing Problem. Computers & Operations Research 45, 87–96.
Boysen, N., Fliedner, M., & Scholl, A. (2007). A Classification of Assembly Line Balancing Problems. European Journal of Operational Research 183, 674–693.
Chen, J. C., Chen, C. C., Su, L. H., Wu, H. B.,& Sun, C. J. (2012). Assembly Line Balancing In Garment Industry. Expert Systems with Applications 39, 10073–10081.
Costa, A. M., & Miralles, C. (2009). Job Rotation in Assembly Lines Employing Disabled Workers. International Journal of Production Economics 120, 625–632.
Egilmez, G., Erenay, B., & Süer, G. A. (2014).Stochastic Skill-Based Manpower Allocation in a Cellular Manufacturing System. Journal of Manufacturing Systems 33, 578–588.
Hu, S.J., Ko, J., Weyand, L., El Maraghy, H.A., Lien, T.K., Koren, Y., Bley, H., Chryssolouris, G., Nasr, N., &Shpitalni, M. (2011). Assembly System Design and Operations for Product Variety. CIRP Annals-Manufacturing Technology 60, 715–733.
Karp, R. M., (1972),"Reducibility among combinatorial problems", In R. E. Miller & J. W. Thatcher (Eds.), Complexity of computer computation, New York: Plenum Press.
Kumar, N.,& Mahto, D. (2013). Assembly Line Balancing: A Review of Developments and Trends in Approach to Industrial Application. Global Journal of Researches in Engineering, Industrial Engineering 13(2), 29-50.
Manavizadeh, N., Hosseini, N., Rabbani, M., &Jolai, F. (2013). A Simulated Annealing Algorithm for A Mixed Model Assembly U-Line Balancing Type-I Problem Considering Human Efficiency and Just-In-Time Approach. Computers & Industrial Engineering 64, 669–685.
Miralles, C., García-Sabater, J. P., Andrés, C., & Cardos, M. (2007). Advantages of Assembly Lines in Sheltered Work Centres for Disabled. A Case Study. International Journal of Production Economics 110, 187–197.
Miralles, C., Garía-Sabater, J. P., Andrés, C., &Cardós, M., (2008). Branch and Bound Procedures for Solving the Assembly Line Worker Assignment and Balancing Problem: Application to Sheltered Work Centres For Disabled. Discrete Applied Mathematics 156, 352-367.
Moreira, M. C. O., Miralles, C., &Costa, A. M. (2015). Model and Heuristics for the Assembly Line Worker Integration and Balancing Problem. Computers & Operations Research 54, 64–73.
Scholl, A.,& Becker, C. (2006). State-of-the-art exact and heuristic solution procedures for simple assembly line balancing. European Journal of Operational Research 168, 666–693.
Oliveira, F. S., Vittori, K., Russel, R. M. O., &Travassos, X. L. (2012). Mixed assembly line rebalancing: A binary integer approach applied to real world problems in the automotive industry.International Journal of Automotive Technology 13(6), 933-940.
Vilà, M., &Pereira, J. (2013). An Enumeration Procedure For The Assembly Line Balancing Problem Based On Branching By Non-Decreasing Idle Time. European Journal of Operational Research 229,106–13.
Vilà, M.,& Pereira, J. (2014). A Branch-And-Bound Algorithm for Assembly Line Worker Assignment and Balancing Problems. Computers & Operations Research 44, 105–114.  
Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
January 2016
Pages 79-91

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 31 August 2015
  • Revise Date: 28 September 2015
  • Accept Date: 26 November 2015

Share

How to cite

Statistics