A Design of Launching Pattern for Final Inspection of Assembled Cars in Mixed Model Assembly Line

Abstract

The objective of this paper is aimed at determining the sequential pattern of a newly mixed-models assembled cars entering into the final inspection lines so that the required production rate of each model can be obtained as specified. The inspection lines are consisted of three parallel conveyor lines and each line is designed to be able to inspect any car models. One can imagine that each model with different inspection details will definitely consume different lead time to complete the job. As a result, the model with short lead time can be finished faster than one with longer lead time. Thus, by the end of each inspection hour, it is difficult to maintain the exact production rate of each product. The unfinished model will become a back order and will be completed in the next hour and therefore the rest of the schedule will be affected. Without knowing of the fixed rate launching algorithm, the exact production rate of each model for each working hour can not be met.