Assembly Line Balancing with Multiple Stations

Abstract

A case is stated for extending the techniques of assembly line balancing to provide for the parallel operation of identical stations, where this leads to a reduction in idle time. The practical implications of operating with this type of system are discussed, both for the stations themselves and the line as a whole, with reference to various classifications of assembly line, and ways in which balancing can be made to fit into an overall strategy for production line design are touched upon. Two distinct types of computer program have been developed to enable multiple stations to become a recognised feature incorporated into "heuristic" line balancing, rather than an appendage to be applied ad hoc by industrial engineers when current techniques have proven inadequate. One approach is based on a more sophisticated version of the `positional weight' method while the other relies on the contrasting philosophy of the "random generation" method, and a comparison is made of their relative success in solving two assembly line problems, and their potential from an industrial viewpoint.

Absalom: Balancing assembly lines with assignment restrictions

“…• Distance restrictions: Sometimes, the production process can also require to observe minimum distances ( ) or maximum distances ( ) between tasks measured in time, space, sequence or station positions (see Buxey 1974;Pastor and Corominas 2000). A minimum distance, e.g., has to be observed in cases where color or glue has to dry before further tasks can be performed at the corresponding area on the workpiece.…”

“…In the recent classification scheme of Boysen et al (2007) Bhattacharjee and Sahu (1987), , Buxey (1974), Deckro (1989), Gökcen and Erel (1997), Hautsch et al (1972), Klenke (1977), Lapierre and Ruiz (2004), Miralles (2005), Pastor and Corominas (2000), Pinnoi and Wilhelm (1997), Rekiek et al (2001Rekiek et al ( , 2002, Roberts and Villa (1970), Schofield (1979), Simaria (2002, 2006), Zäpfel (1975) 13 inc Agnetis et al (1995), Bautista and Pereira (2002), Bautista et al (2000), Bhattacharjee and Sahu (1987), , Buxey (1974), Deckro (1989), Gökcen and Erel (1997), Klenke (1977), Lapierre and Ruiz (2004), Park et al (1997), Pastor and Corominas (2000), Pinnoi and Wilhelm (1997), Rekiek et al (2001), Schofield (1979), Simaria (2002, 2006), Zäpfel (1975) 7 cum Arcus (1966), Bautista and Pereira (2007), , Carnahan et al (2001), Kim and Park (1995), Liu and Chen (2002), Miralles (2005) Pastor et al (2002, Pinnoi and Wilhelm (1997), …”

A MIP approach for balancing transfer line with complex industrial constraints

“…We will now present the principal research work which has considered these two extensions. Buxey (1974) was the first to introduce the use of parallel machines for ALBP. Workstations are equipped with parallel machines which execute the same operations on different parts of the product.…”

A survey of the literature on the multiple or parallel assembly line balancing problem

“…Even though it is not shown in previous figures, any configuration may have parallel stations (stations that perform the same tasks). Installing parallel stations is required when the maximal task time is greater than the desired cycle time, but it can be also a way of decreasing the cycle time of the line and, therefore, increasing production rate (Buxey, 1974). Furthermore, having a system with parallel stations reduces failure sensitivity and, also, it often allows for better balances.…”