• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.59-65
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• 2010

This paper proposes a modified heuristic mixed model assembly line (MMAL) balancing algorithm that provides consistent station assignments on a model by model basis as well as on a station by station. Basically, some of single model line balancing techniques are modified and incorporated to be fit into the MMAL. The proposed algorithm is based on N.T. Thomopoulos' [8] method and supplemented with several well proven single model line balancing techniques proposed in the literature until recently. Hoffman's precedence matrix [2] is used to indicate the ordering relations among tasks. Arcus' Rule IX [1] is applied to generate rapidly a fairly large number of feasible solutions. Consequently, this proposed algorithm reduces the fluctuations in operation times among the models as well as the stations and the balance delays. A numerical example shows that the proposed algorithm can provide a good feasible solution in a relatively short time and generate relatively better solutions comparing to other three existing methods.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.98-105
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• 2014

According to a simple survey on the current status of the assembly line design, it was found that trial and error methods on the basis of experiences have been used mainly in domestic manufacturing industries, even though there exist a lot of excellent line balancing studies. It seems that more practical researches should be carried out to develop user-oriented line balancing tools especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. This study presents a design of the line balancing tool which can support the line balancing tasks of nonspecialists. The proposed design tool is composed of three major modules: pre-process, line balancing, and post-process. In particular, pre-process and post-process are newly proposed to increase its ease of use. We applied the proposed design to a test problem and test result showed that our practical method may contribute to enhance the efficiency of production operations management.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.109-124
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• 2001

This paper presents a new method that can efficiently solve the integrated problem of line balancing and model sequencing in mixed model assembly lines (MMALs). Line balancing and model sequencing are important for an efficient use of MMALs. The two problems of balancing and sequencing MMALs are tightly related with each other. However, In almost all the existing researches on mixed-model production lines, the two problems have been considered separately. In this research, an endosymbiotic evolutionary a1gorithm, which is a kind of coevolutionary a1gorithm, is adopted as a methodology in order to solve the two problems simultaneously. This paper shows how to apply an endosymbiotic evolutionary a1gorithm to solving the integrated problem. Some evolutionary schemes are used In the a1gorithm to promote population diversity and search efficiency. The proposed a1gorithm is compared with the existing evolutionary algorithms in terms of solution quality and convergence speed. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our approach.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.707-710
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• 1995

Structure of product, which is not considered by easy of assembly, has many hidden costs. For reduction of hidden costs, concepts of line balancing and assembly-oriented design are used. We find that part of structure can be improved by concept of line balancing. To reduce assembly time and enhance easy of assembly, design principles are developed by concept of assembly-oriented design. And design principles for improvement are applied according to condition of the grasped parts of product structure. Thersfore, we could design assembly-oriented design for better structure and low cost.

• IE interfaces
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.155-166
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• 1998

The productivity and quality are most challenging problems facing all companies. This paper presents a process improvement of the SMPS(switching mode power supply) assembly line through elimination of unnecessary operations, a proper factory layout, motion study, and line balancing techniques. The proposed assembly line increases the productivity by 23.9%, and decrease the proportion of nonconforming items by 48.9%.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.83-101
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• 2002

In this thesis presents line balancing problems of two-sided and mixed model assembly line widely used in practical fields using genetic algorithm for reducing throughput time, cost of tools and fixtures and improving flexibility of assembly lines. Two-sided and mixed model assembly line is a special type of production line where variety of product similar in product characteristics are assembled in both sides. This thesis proposes the genetic algorithm adequate to each step in tow-sided and mixed model assembly line with suitable presentation, individual, evaluation function, selection and genetic parameter. To confirm proposed genetic algorithm, we apply to increase the number of tasks in case study. And for evaluation the performance of proposed genetic algorithm, we compare to existing algorithm of one-sided and mixed model assembly line. The results show that the algorithm is outstanding in the problems with a larger number of stations or larger number of tasks.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.91-97
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• 2002

In this thesis presents line balancing problems of two-sided and mixed model assembly line widely used in practical fields using genetic algorithm for reducing throughput time, cost of tools and fixtures and improving flexibility of assembly lines. Two-sided and mixed model assembly line is a special type of production line where variety of product similar in product characteristics are assembled in both sides. This thesis proposes the genetic algorithm adequate to each step in tow-sided and mixed model assembly line with suitable presentation, individual, evaluation function, selection and genetic parameter. To confirm proposed genetic algorithm, we apply to increase the number of tasks in case study. And for evaluation the performance of proposed genetic algorithm, we compare to existing algorithm of one-sided and mixed model assembly line. The results show that the algorithm is outstanding in the problems with a larger number of stations or larger number of tasks.

• IE interfaces
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.282-293
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• 2004

Line Balancing is the problem to assign tasks to stations while satisfying some managerial viewpoints. Most researches about the Mixed-Model Line Balancing problems are focused on the minimizing the total processing time or the number of workstations. Independently, some research reports consider the balance issues of the physical workloads on the assembly line. In this paper, we are presenting a new mathematical model to accomplish the line balance considering both the processing time and the workloads at the same time. To this, end, we propose an zero-one integer program problem, and we use the Chebyshev Goal Programming approach as the solution method. Some computational test runs are performed to compare the pay-offs between the processing time and the workloads. And, the test results show us that the reliable balanced work schedules can be obtained through the proposed model.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.43-54
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• 2005

A flexible assembly line (FAL) is a production system that assembles various parts in unidirectional flow line with many constraints and manufacturing flexibilities. In this research we deal with a FAL balancing problem with the objective of minimizing the maximum workload allocated to the stations. However, almost all the existing researches do not appropriately consider various constraints due to the problem complexity. Therefore, this study addresses a balancing problem of FAL with many constraints and manufacturing flexibilities, unlike the previous researches. We use a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve this problem. To apply GA to FAL. we suggest a genetic representation suitable for FAL balancing and devise evaluation method for individual's fitness and genetic operators specific to the problem, including efficient repair method for preserving solution feasibility. After we obtain a solution using the proposed GA. we use a heuristic method for reassigning some tasks of each product to one or more stations. This method can improve workload smoothness and raise work efficiency of each station. The proposed algorithm is compared and analyzed in terms of solution quality through computational experiments.