Design configuration for a closed-station, mixed-model assembly line: A filing cabinet manufacturing system
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-10-2001
Abstract
A closed-station assembly line with mixed models encountered in a filing cabinet manufacturing company is considered. Utility and idle times play an important role on the performance and economy of a closed-station system. This paper addresses a problem that minimizes the total cost of the utility and idle times caused due to different line parameters (launch interval, station length, starting point of work, upstream walk, locus of the operator's movement, etc.) and operation sequences of the mixed models. A mixed-integer-programming model for a closed-station system is developed to determine line parameters optimally. The model is tested on a three-station, mixed-model assembly line in a filing cabinet manufacturing system. The research shows that a set of line parameters is available for which the total cost of utility and idle times is minimal. Results also indicate that the minimum total cost of utility and idle times in a closed-station system decreases with line length. A sensitivity analysis is performed to study the effects of line and launch intervals in such a manufacturing line.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
International Journal of Production Research
First Page
2251
Last Page
2270
Recommended Citation
Sarker, B., & Pan, H. (2001). Design configuration for a closed-station, mixed-model assembly line: A filing cabinet manufacturing system. International Journal of Production Research, 39 (10), 2251-2270. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207540110034896