Analysis of bowl effects on assembly line using queueing networks and constraint programming procedure

Abstract

In this study, a new solution procedure based on queueing networks and constraint programming is proposed to model and solve the Assembly Line Balancing Problem (ALBP). Variation of the task and the station times, and precedence relation effects are considered to evaluate the line performance. Station utilization, total average number of jobs and smoothness index are used as performance measures. Bowl effect, inverted bowl effect and variability imbalance which are seen in balanced lines are examined by using proposed procedure. Also effects of the variability on the line performance are reviewed. Literature data sets are utilized to assess the effectiveness of the procedure.