• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.381-388
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• 1997

This paper proposes a heuristic algorithm to efficiently perform line balancing in the PCB assembly line including multiple surface mounters efficiently. Generally, the problems in line balancing are classified into two kinds. Firstly, is the determining of the minimum number of machines required for achieving the desired production rate. Secondly, is the assign of jobs to multiple machines in order to minimize the cycle time which is defined as a maximum among the working times of machines when the number of machines is fixed. In this paper, we deal with the latter. We consider a PCB assembly line, including the multiple surface mounters arranged serially as a target system. Also, the conveyor is assumed to move at a constant speed and have no buffer. Considering that the minimum number of machines required for the desired production rate is a discrete nonincreasing function which is inversely proportional to the cycle time, we propose an optimization algorithm for line balancing by using the binary search method. The algorithm is validated through computer simulation, the results of which show that their shapes coincide nearly with those of optimal line balancing efficiency graphs regardless of the number of components, the performance of surface mounters, and the structure of assembly line.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.461-468
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• 2005

This paper proposes a wheel-assembly automation system, which assembles a wheel into a hub of a vehicle hung to a moving hanger in a car manufacturing line. A macro-micro manipulator control strategy is introduced to increase the system bandwidth and tracking accuracy to ensure insertion tolerance. A camera is equipped at the newly designed wheel gripper, which is attached at the center of the end-effector of the macro-micro manipulator and is used to measure position error of the hub of the vehicle in real time. The redundancy problem in the macro-micro manipulator is solved without complicated calculation by assigning proper functions to each part so that the macro part tracks the velocity error while the micro part regulates the fine position error. Experimental results indicate that tracking error satisfies the insertion tolerance of assembly $({\pm}1mm)$, and thus it is verified that the proposed system can be applied to the wheel assembly task on a moving hanger in the manufacturing line.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society for Simulation Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.217-217
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• 1999

The main objective of this study is to simulate the design and operational policies of the assembly shop of an automotive plant for planning purposes and to find possible improvements. The simulation study was used to answer the following questions: How does the sequence affect the daily throughput\ulcorner What are the bottlenecks to the assembly lines in a given scenario\ulcorner A Simulation model was developed in accordance with the objective of this study. The model incorporates detailed workstation logic to accurately model downtime results through the use of a pull cord system. It is written with SIMAN. The discrete event feature of SIMAN does not adequately model the conveyor systems of the asembly shop. As a result, a few subroutines were added to the SIMAN modeling structures to mimic the operations of the assembly shop. Use of the model uncovered attractive improvement opportunities, such as a tremendous gain in annual volume if four additional spaces were added to a between-line buffer.

• IE interfaces
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.136-147
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• 2005

This paper introduces a simulation study regarding the operation of the Painted Body Storage (PBS) in an automobile factory. In the paint shop of the factory, same colored bodies are grouped together in order to increase the effectiveness of process, for example decrease the loss of cleaning the painting-gun when the color of body changes from one to another. However the production of automobiles in the assembly shop is a typical example of the mixed model assembly production. Therefore PBS locates between the paint shop and the assembly shop for control the input sequence of bodies to the assembly shop, and it enables to meet the smoothing requirement of assembly sequence. There are highly restricted constraints on the assembly sequence in a assembly shop. Those are spacing restriction and smoothing restriction. If such restrictions are violated, conveyor-stop or utility work will be necessary. Thus the major objective of PBS is to control the assembly sequence in a way to meet the two restrictions. In this paper a case study of PBS in an automotive factory is introduced. The storage/retrieval algorithms are suggested and the proposed system is verified using simulation models. Sensitivity analysis for operating factors is also conducted.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.157-160
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• 2000

This study is concerned with how to optimize the Input sequence of product models with sequence -dependent setup time in Mixed-Model Assembly Line (MMAL) using conveyor system. Usually MMAL consists of a number of stations linked by conveyor belt and each station has a work zone limited by upstream and downstream boundaries. To avoid improper interference between operators in the adjacent stations and excess of machine moving range, operators are forced to complete their operations within their predetermined work zone. In this study, our goal is to determine sequence of models for minimizing the total work unfinished within their work zone. A generalized formulation of the product sequencing problem in MMAL is presented and we developed an optimal procedure using Branch & Bound. Also we developed a heuristic procedure using local search.

• IE interfaces
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.204-210
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• 2000

This paper deals with the problem of mixed-model sequencing on an assembly line. In this sequencing problem we want to minimize the risk of the conveyor stoppage and the total utility work. This paper applies genetic algorithm to solve the mixed-model sequencing problem which is formulated as an integer programming. The solution we get from this algorithm is compared with the solution of Tsai(1995)'s.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 1978

The purpose of this study is to search for an efficient application method in solving delay-phenomenon problems which influence upon total production cost through case study. The method of this study is an experimental study based on cutting time data in lead cutting operations from "Lead Cutting Machine (Stripper)" and its service rate data from a large electronic products company which utilizes conveyor line system for the products "Car Stereo" The procedure of this experimental study is as follows; 1) Using loading(Man-Hour) analysis technique j,1 order to analyse and evaluate Production capacity, efficiency, operation and idle rate assembly charge, waiting and service cost -when its are controlled by stripper operator(server) 2) Establishing adequate waiting time model of finite population caused by the interference of 4 stripper machine which is drawn from mathematical statistics testing, that is, goodness of fit test in the waiting and service rate and to search for optimal solution by utilizing the above mentioned model The experimental result was that amount to 8,546,618won Per year was brought down, that is, by optimum point, it shows a decrease as compared with Present point. The major limitation of this experimental study is that the Queue in the Finite Population, so to speak. it comes from the interference of 4 stripper machine dealt with this case were limited only on the Car Stereo conveyor line. Further study of application of this application method to the areas such as material handling, personnel management marketing and transportation management is strong1y recommended.trong1y recommended.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.274-281
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• 2012

This paper proposed a control simulation method for design and verification of the transport system in an automobile assembly line based on digital manufacturing system. The design of the transport system involves two major activities: mechanical design (device specification) and electrical design (device behavior and system control). Conventionally, the simulation and emulation system of the transport system focuses on the abstract level, which mainly deals with design verification, alternative comparison, and system diagnosis. Although it can provide overall system visibility in monitoring how well it works in the process and view, its simulation models are not sufficiently realistic to be used for a detailed design or for implementation purposes. In this paper, a digital simulation model for a transport system in an automotive assembly line is constructed by adapting a digital manufacturing methodology. We use the concept of the "Virtual Probe", which transport a carrier instead of the belt of the conveyor. In conclusion, the proposed method is valuable in the process of test run in the shop floor. This method would reduce the time and effort for validating the manufacturing system and improve the productivity and integrity of the control program.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2005

Ergonomic intervention techniques were adopted to assess and control potential risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) in the automated light assembly manufacturing system. Ten different kinds of assembly workstations implemented with a conveyor system and twelve female workers were observed and evaluated with careful video film analysis. Several close examinations using sets of checklists established by qualified safety and health organizations, such as NIOSH, OSHA, and ANSI, were conducted and every workers and staffs in the site participated in the self-report questionnaires and off-line interviews. Typical risk factors and symptoms of the upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders were found and categorized into specific parts of body. To reduce risk factors of WMSDs and improve system productivity new revised workstation standards, physical dimensions, were suggested accordant with anthropometric characteristics of workers and a heuristic decision strategy of rotating shift work schedules according to work contents has proposed to mitigate cumulative physical stress. Finally, ergonomic programs of entire company to prevent WMSDs were structured.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2009

In this study we investigate the problem of reducing color change cost at painting operations in an automobile assembly plant. Changing control logic at conveyor junction points prior to the top coat line has been proposed and analyzed using the discrete event simulation model we developed using AutoMod. We also discussed the project which initiated this research as well as the details of painting operations. Simulation analysis showed that the grouping ratio increases from 1.8 to 2.5 if the proposed control logic change is applied to the plant. Contrary to other approaches such as using dedicated equipment for resequencing, our approach has the merit of less investment cost, no need for additional space consumption. We finally note that the grouping ratio can be further increased if our algorithms is implemented as well as CRS (Color Rescheduling Storage) is installed.