Material handling devices dimensioning in multi-stage assembly line

Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of dimensioning the number of material handling devices (MHDs) needed to supply a given (single-product) multi-stage assembly line, in order to obtain a pre-determinate risk level of incomplete items produced. The assembly line is managed in accordance with the criteria imposed by the just-in-time philosophy. An iterative analytical model based on the queuing theory is developed. This model permits not only the dimensioning of the number of MHDs but also the resizing of the component containers capacities, in order to reduce the variance of the interarrival time of supply requests from the assembly stations. A simulation study confirms the precision of the results obtained. A brief discussion about the mixed-model assembly lines is also presented.