Analytic Hierarchy Process and Multilayer Network-Based Method for Assembly Line Balancing

Abstract

Assembly line balancing improves the efficiency of production systems by the optimal assignment of tasks to operators. The optimisation of this assignment requires models that provide information about the activity times, constraints and costs of the assignments. A multilayer network-based representation of the assembly line-balancing problem is proposed, in which the layers of the network represent the skills of the operators, the tools required for their activities and the precedence constraints of their activities. The activity–operator network layer is designed by a multi-objective optimisation algorithm in which the training and equipment costs as well as the precedence of the activities are also taken into account. As these costs are difficult to evaluate, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique is used to quantify the importance of the criteria. The optimisation problem is solved by a multi-level simulated annealing algorithm (SA) that efficiently handles the precedence constraints. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by a case study from wire harness manufacturing.

Ontology-Based Analysis of Manufacturing Processes: Lessons Learned from the Case Study of Wire Harness Production

“…In a previous study of the authors, the assembly line balancing problem was investigated using a multilayer network modelling method, and the interacting elements of the [46]. 8 Complexity assembly line were mapped as bipartite graphs [26]. e methodology of how links data with RDF triples (discussed in Section 2.2) is the same as in the case of bipartite graphs.…”

“…Based on the above-listed application examples, the benefits of the ontology-based features are the following: processes to evaluate risks and costs before the realization of the production processes [12,76] (vii) Improve the efficiency of machine learning models [77] (viii) Data mining and root cause analysis [78,79] (ix) Support predictive and prescriptive decisionmaking [80, 81] (x) Supplementary technique to solve the assembly line balancing problem [26] In the previous sections, we proposed and summarized the results of research on the ontology-based modelling of production systems and collected the most relevant application cases. In the following section, we will present the applicability of our methodology in a wire harness assembly case study.…”

“…We present a well-documented open-source OWL-XML (Web Ontology Language-Extensible Markup Language) based wire harness manufacturing benchmark. e presented case study has already been used to verify production flow analysis [25] and an assembly line balancing problem [26].…”

An Algorithm for Arranging Operators to Balance Assembly Lines and Reduce Operator Training Time

“…On most mass-production assembly lines, workers repetitively perform a set of tasks predefined by using assembly line balancing techniques [3], which assign a number of work elements to various workstations to maximize the assembly line's balancing efficiency [4]. A balancing of tasks across the workstations results in the optimization of a given objective function without violating preceding constraints [5]. An unbalanced assembly line can be dangerous.…”

Designating Industry 4.0 Maturity Items and Weights for Small and Medium Enterprises

“…Assembly line balancing and optimization are related subjects of Industry 4.0. Line balancing and importance of relative costs have been determined in a recent study via AHP technique [14]. In another study, an iteration of AHP has been combined with another method called Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations to evaluate items in Industry 4.0 perspective; however, it is relatively complex and reflects slightly restricted opinion based on a survey [15].…”