Uniform workload assignments for assembly line by GA-based amelioration approach

Abstract

This paper presents an amelioration structure with genetic algorithms to improve the variation of workload on assembly line production systems. As a consequence of introducing the just-in-time (JIT) production principle, it has been recognised that U-shaped assembly line systems offer several benefits over the traditional straight line systems. We consider both the traditional straight line system and the U-shaped assembly line system, thus as an unbiased examination of line efficiency. The performance criteria considered are the number of workstations (the line efficiency) and the variation of workload. The results of experiments show that the proposed an amelioration structure produced optimal line efficiency of workstation integration and improved the variation of workload.

Keywords:

• U-shaped assembly line
• genetic algorithm
• priority-based coding