Abstract:
This study presents a new approach on a U-shaped assembly line namely, task and worker assignment in the Shared-machine U-shaped line. Because the purpose of this study is to improve the performance of the traditional U-line, decision variables (factors) influencing the performance of assembly line balancing were summarized and identified. A case study of a sample room was done on a garment manufacturing company in Thailand. In order to revolutionize and consider the lean concept of waste reduction and synchronous movement, three objective functions were considered: minimizing the number of workstations (workers), minimizing walking time, and maximizing full work. The results showed that the Shared-machine U-shaped line has the same number of workstations (or workers) as the straight line and traditional U-line, but the walking time is less than the latter while the average utilization of the worker is better satisfied. In addition, the average utilization of the machines is better than other lines. Hence, the proposed model can help improve the task and worker assignment and increase the utilization of machine and worker in a manufacturing company. Finally, a way to apply the assignment to the model under a real situation has been provided.