ABSTRACT

In this chapter, we present the assembly line balancing problem and demonstrate how SAS/OR® can be applied to solve the problem to optimality.

5.1.1 Concept of Assembly Line-Balancing Problem

Assembly line balancing is a product-oriented layout technique in operations management. Product-oriented layouts are designed for high-volume, lowvariety products or continuous production. The problem of assembly line balancing is how to assign tasks to workstations while meeting production requirements at a minimum imbalance between labors or machines. Minimization of imbalance leads to minimization of idle time along the assembly line and maximization utilization of labors and machines.