Balancing two-sided multi-manned assembly line under time and space constraint

Abstract

The multi-man concept is usually applied for assembly lines of complex large sized products incorporating large number of tasks with varying sized components. Most researchers consider multi-manned assembly line problem under the objective of minimizing number of stations resulting in workers walking around the two sides of the station. The aim of the present work is to balance a two-sided multi-manned assembly line using a genetic algorithm combined with a proposed assignment heuristic. The model is studied under the objective of minimizing the number of workers and mated stations simultaneously, with additional space constraint. This helps to minimize workers interference and time waste in workers movement. For the first time a dynamic crossover and mutation ratio technique is used in the assembly line balancing problem. Applying the proposed algorithm gives competitive results. The use of dynamic crossover and mutation proved to yield better results compared to the stationary values.