Parts feeding in two-stage assembly system: an assessment by simulation

Abstract

Literature on two-stage assembly systems typically assume that parts (subassemblies) require several sequential operations at the first production stage. However, parts can often be produced at a single station. This shifts the focus away from coordination to the provision of parts. The literature on parts feeding typically assumes the full availability of parts at stock points (e.g. warehouses or supermarkets), thereby neglecting the potential impact of capacity constraints at upstream stations. In response, this study assesses the performance of different parts feeding policies (kitting and line stocking). Simulation results show limited operational performance differences between kitting and line stocking in to-stock systems, with the main difference being where stock points are located. However, results also highlight the potential for producing subassemblies to-order if the constraint is how much (and not where) stock can be kept. This links together the literature on parts feeding with that on customer order decoupling points.