Title: Evaluation of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem with variable operation times and product mix

Authors: Daria Battini, Maurizio Faccio, Alessandro Persona, Fabio Sgarbossa

Addresses: Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, Stradella San Nicola, 3 Vicenza 36100, Italy. ' Department of Mechanics Innovation and Management, University of Padova, Via Venezia 1, Padova 35131, Italy. ' Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, Stradella San Nicola, 3, Vicenza 36100, Italy. ' Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, Stradella San Nicola, 3, Vicenza 36100, Italy

Abstract: In order to make production systems more versatile and flexible, there has been a transition in the last decades towards mixed-model assembly lines, where all the products are variations of the same base product and only differ in specific customisable attributes. A mixed-model environment presents balancing problems (Mixed-model Assembly Line Balancing Problem or MALBP) that can normally be solved by transforming the mixed-model system into a Single Assembly Line Balancing Problem (SALBP), and simplified by creating a |virtual average model|. In this case, a general average model not dependent on the characteristics of the real system can represent a considerable restriction since the reality is characterised by high variability in the operation times and product mix between different product models. A comparative evaluation of eight different methodologies to reduce a MALBP into a SALBP is presented, using several randomly generated problems, to test operation time fluctuations and the product mix. Their evaluation is based on five different performance measures.

Keywords: mixed-model lines; assembly line balancing; task time variability; demand variability; performance measures; comparative evaluation; virtual average model; assembly systems; assembly lines; task assignment; operation times; product mix.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2010.030632

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.2, pp.126 - 148

Published online: 27 Dec 2009 *

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