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http://dx.doi.org/10.7232/JKIIE.2015.41.4.330

A Decentralized Self-Control Strategy for Assembly Cell Using Bucket Brigade  

Koo, Pyung Hoi (Department of Systems Management and Engineering, Pukyong National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers / v.41, no.4, 2015 , pp. 330-337 More about this Journal
Abstract
A bucket-brigade is a way of transporting items where items are passed from one person to the next. The operation of the bucket brigade imitates the cooperative behavior of ants when brood, food or other resources are moved. Koo (2009) presented a bucket brigade-based assembly cell where each worker follows a simple rule: perform assembly operations on a product until the next worker downstream takes it over; then go back to the previous worker upstream to take over a new assembly job. In this way, the flow line is self-balanced without any predetermined job assignment. However, there are some productivity losses related to hand-off and blocking. This paper examines the hand-off and blocking losses and presents a new bucket brigade-based assembly cell where working areas for each assembler is restricted with the help of buffer interfaces. Simulation experiments are used to validate the performance of the new assembly system.
Keywords
Assembly cell; Bucket brigades; Decoupling buffer; Self-balancing assembly line;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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