Design model for assembly lines including fractional tasks and parallel workstations

Abstract In recent years, the use of robots and cobots allow to increase productivity quality products. Due higher investment, robustness efficiency flow lines are crucial reduce throughput loss. The solution installing buffers between stations increases costs factory space. To improve assembly lines, literature proposed some variants simple line balancing problem. introduction fractional tasks parallel workstations two promising models in works loss caused by short failures. potential approaches has been studied individually, but no work evaluated integration can further production lines. This paper proposes a matheurstic method design integrating workstations. approach aims computational complexity provides series alternatives. simulation model tests alternatives against numerical results highlight how improves performance when unforeseen events such as failures occur. benefit is relevant for robotic increasing that mainly used automotive, electronics sector, metal machinery industries.