Automation of assembly processes

Abstract

Large-scale manufacturing companies use larger automated assembly processes including the use of heavy robotic equipment to put together large products, such as automobiles. The assembly lines in these systems have centralized control, operated by only a few workers. However, the lines, as production elements, are independent in the assembly process. Automated assembly systems are designed to perform assembly operations in a fixed manner product assembly sequence. Four types of systems/operational planning problems are significant: delivery of parts to workstations; single station system; automatic multi-station systems; and partly automation. This paper focuses on the multi-station automated system used for operational assembly.