Multi-objective assembly line balancing via a modified ant colony optimization technique

Abstract

A technique derived from ant colony optimization is presented that addresses multiple objectives associated with the general assembly line-balancing problem. The specific objectives addressed are crew size, system utilization, the probability of jobs being completed within a certain time frame and system design costs. These objectives are addressed simultaneously, and the obtained results are compared with those obtained from single-objective approaches. Comparison shows the relative superiority of the multi-objective approach in terms of both overall performance and the richness of information.

Keywords:

• Assembly line balancing
• Heuristics
• Ant-colony optimization
• Efficient frontier