A Hierarchical Hybrid Heuristic-Optimization Approach for Multi-Product Assembly Line Design Problem

In this research, an alternative parallel assembly line design strategy for multi products is proposed. Assigning operators to the parallel assembly stations optimally is an essential task specifically when the production volume is considerably high and the numbers of required operators are more than the number of assembly operations. The primary objective in the parallel assembly line problem is to balance more than one assembly line together. To deal with this problem a three phase hierarchy methodology is developed: (1) based on the assembly network for each product, operations are grouped into stations for various configuration. (2) In order to determine how many operators should be assigned to each station, a mathematical model is used and parallel stations are designed. (3) The number of assembly lines is determined with the objective of minimizing total number of operators required in the system. This approach guarantees that minimum number of workers is obtained thus maximizing overall system efficiency. This study is the extension of Suer's (1998) study in which only one product was considered. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.