This paper presents a nonlinear mixed-integer programming model to minimize the stoppage cost of mixed-model assembly lines. Nowadays, most manufacturing firms employ this type of line due to the increasing varieties of products in their attempts to quickly respond to diversified customer demands. Advancement of new technologies, competitiveness, diversification of products, and large customer ...

In recent years, globalization of markets and increased consumer sophistication have led to an increase in the variety of products that customers demand and a consequent increase in the number of variants of any given product line that a manufacturer must supply. At the same time, an increasing number of companies have pushed the task of accommodating product variety up the supply chain to supp...

This research addresses the mixed-model assembly line (MMAL) by considering various constraints. In MMALs, several types of products which their similarity is so high are made on an assembly line. As a consequence, it is possible to assemble and make several types of products simultaneously without spending any additional time. The proposed multi-objective model considers the balancing and sequ...

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) may involve all parts of the body, and have been a worldwide problem. Employed women are two to five times more likely to report such problems, and assembly lines suspected to induce more WMSDs because of high rate of repetitive motions. Methods: The aim of this study to determine the prevalence of WMSDs in women workers of an automobi...

Rolling element linear motion bearings are widely used to guide, support, locate, and accurately move machinery components and products in a wide range of automation applications. Rolling element linear bearings and guides provide low friction, smooth, accurate motion for nearly any moment or normal loading condition. Major applications include factory automation, medical, packaging, machine to...

Since its presentation at the inaugural 1989 IAAI Conference (O’Brien et al. 1989), Ford’s Direct Labor Management System (DLMS) has evolved from a prototype being tested at a single assembly plant to a fully-deployed application that is being utilized at Ford’s assembly plants throughout the world. DLMS is Ford’s automated solution to managing the automobile manufacturing process system at our...

Frequency of model change and the vast amounts of time and cost required to make a changeover, also called time-based competition, has become a characteristic feature of modern manufacturing and new product development in automotive, aerospace, and other industries. This paper discusses the concept of time-based competition in manufacturing and design based on a review of on-going research rela...