Title: Optimal layout and work allocation in batch assembly under learning effect

Authors: Yuval Cohen, Ezey M. Dar-El, Gad Vitner, Subhash Sarin

Addresses: Department of Management and Economics, The Open University of Israel, 108 Rabutzki Street, P.O. Box 808, Raanana 43104, Israel. ' Technion (IIT), Kiryat Hatechnion, Haifa 32000, Israel. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, School of Engineering, The Ruppin Academic Center, Emek-Hafer 40250, Israel. ' Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 2061, USA

Abstract: This research investigates the effect of system|s configuration (layout) and work allocation on the makespan of batches of different products characterised by significant learning. Frequently, in science-based industries the layout of the batch assembly could be relatively easily setup separately for each batch, where each batch contains different type of products. The research aims at finding guidelines for configurations and work allocations that will minimise the makespan for a given number of workers. Analytical expression of the makespan is developed and analysed.

Keywords: optimal layout; industrial learning; assembly line; batch assembly; makespan; work allocation; optimisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISTA.2008.016366

International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, 2008 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.188 - 207

Published online: 22 Dec 2007 *

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