A team-oriented design methodology for mixed model assembly systems

Team-oriented approaches are widely being used in modern real life assembly systems, such as the other modern systems. In this paper, firstly, the literature of the assembly line balancing, which takes place an important role for the design of assembly systems, is reviewed. The associated literature matrixes revealed the fact that team oriented approaches do not have an intensive search area. Then, a mathematical model for creating assembly teams (physical stations) and the design methodology which integrates both team work and mixed model assembly line balancing and sequencing are presented. The methodology does have five stages: horizontal balancing, vertical balancing, creating physical station by means of scheduling under limited resources, product sequencing, and as the fifth stage, worker transfer system by using simulation technique. The algorithms for each step of the methodology are also coded by using MATLAB, and MS Excel is used as user interface. Furthermore, the presented methodology is implemented in a chosen segment of real life mixed model tractor assembly system.