Design and Deployment of Fixture on Assembly Line to Improve Productivity

Abstract

In this research, fixture was designed and implemented on assembly line to improve ergonomics along with reducing the required time and manpower. It reduced the required manpower in half and subsequently led improvement the productivity. Providing ease in operation, fixture significantly reduced fatigue to the workers. The aim of this paper was to design and development of fixture for engine door assembly. The problem with assembly was analysed and fixture is proposed to tackle the key issues. To eliminate traditional trial and error approach, the fixture was designed using CAFD along with FEA validation. The proposed fixture manufactured and deployed in current assembly line. It improves total profitability and quality of process by achieving significant reduction of 40% in assembly time. Prior to fixture, time needed for assembly was 24 minutes. After the fixture, this assembly time reduces to 14.4 minutes i.e. 40% reduction is observed.