Assembly Automation: Volume 35 Issue 1

Kanban-driven parts feeding within a semi-automated O-shaped assembly line: a case study in the automotive industry

The aim of the present work is to provide a case study where lean production (LP) techniques are implemented in a semi-automated assembly line with O-shaped (closed-loop) layout…

Re-balancing problem for assembly lines: new mathematical model and exact solution method

The purpose of this study is to develop a new mathematical model and an exact solution method for an assembly line rebalancing problem. When an existing assembly line has to be…

A Changeover Time Reduction through an integration of lean practices: a case study from pharmaceutical sector

The purpose of this paper is to uncover the significance of quick changeovers in the packaging line of a pharmaceutical company. Using an integration of different lean practices…

Planning models for continuous supply of parts in assembly systems

The purpose of this paper is to develop analytical planning models to compare just-in-time (JIT) delivery and line storage (LS) alternatives for a continuous supply of materials…

A decision model for kitting and line stocking with variable operator walking distances

The purpose of this paper is to propose a decision model to choose between kitting and line stocking at the level of single parts, while taking into account the variable operator…

Advances in assembly line parts feeding policies: a literature review

– The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on parts feeding policies and to provide the components of parts feeding systems via a classification structure.

A model for kitting operations planning

– The aim of this paper is to develop a detailed descriptive model for kitting operations, allowing resources sizing and computation of systems’ economic performances.

Robust optimization approach to production system with failure in rework and breakdown under uncertainty: evolutionary methods

– This paper aims to consider a multi-site production planning problem with failure in rework and breakdown subject to demand uncertainty.

Re-layout of an assembly area: a case study at Bosch Rexroth Oil Control

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the considerations and lessons learned from a re-layout project in an assembly area for productivity improvement. The case study took…

A simple mechanical measurement system for the posture evaluation of wing components using the PSO and ICP algorithms

The purpose of this study is to present a new and relatively inexpensive method for posture evaluation of the positioning of the wing-body assembly. Positioning is an essential…

Implementation framework for a fully flexible assembly system (F-FAS)

This paper aims to provide a framework for the choice, design, set-up and management of a fully flexible assembly system (F-FAS). Many industrial applications for small batch…

A genetic algorithm for supermarket location problem

This purpose of this paper is to investigate the location problem of supermarkets, feeding by material the mixed model assembly lines using tow trains. It determines the number…

New Kanban model for tow-train feeding system design

This paper aims to introduce, apply and validate, through a realistic case study, an analytical cost model to support the design of the tow-train feeding system for mixed-model…

Multi-manned assembly line balancing problem with balanced load density

The purpose of this paper is balancing multi-manned assembly lines with load-balancing constraints in addition to conventional ones Most research works about the multi-manned…

Order batching and time efficiency in kit preparation

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether man-hour efficiency of picking is affected by the use of batch preparation, compared to preparation of one kit at a time. This…

Part-feeding with supermarket in assembly systems: transportation mode selection model and multi-scenario analysis

The paper aims to focus on in-house part logistics design and management for assembly systems in which supermarket storage is adopted and coupled with an automated transportation…

Editorial