MIXED MODEL ASSEMBLY LINE BALANCING: STRATEGIC TOOL TO IMPROVE LINE EFFICIENCY IN REAL WORLD

Assembly Lines are production flow lines which meet the standard of commonalities in case of mass production and in low volume production as well. It needs high capital investment in installation and redesigning the paced lines. The customer requirements have changed over the times as tere are multi variety and multi model lines resulting in either un-paced or semimechanical assembly lines. The present concept is of low volumes production which is important for cost efficient production. Real world assembly line balancing relate to finite set of work elements, and each element having relationship of processing time and precedence. Line balancing is an attempt to equal amount work to each work station to achieve the desired efficiency by concentrating the factors like minimizing work stations, minimizing work load variations and cycle time minimization. Precedence and precedence diagram play a vital role in maximizing work efficiency and assembly line operations. Lot size is also important in making a decision to design a line. This case study is aimed at the detailed investigation of mixed model assembly line (MALB) into present system of line/stations in relation to production volumes including the present line efficiency or operative efficiency. Also, suggesting the remedial solution for enhancement of this line efficiency in terms of no. of workstations and manpower allocated for this purpose.