Simulation models for management of resource allocation and line balancing: A case study

Line balancing and resource assignment are complicated tasks, particularly in a mixed-product assembly line environment, and especially in the final assembly process of a product. This paper describes the development of computer simulation models of the manufacturing system, for the evaluation of resource assignment against the criteria of maximising resource utilisation and enhancing the productivity. The primary roles of the developed simulation models are to provide balanced utilisation of work stations and the associated resources of a mixed - product assembly line, and also to permit detailed investigations of the assembly line performances. Simulation models were developed using a software package, SIMPROCESS. A number of simulation experiments were performed to investigate the influence of various assembly line configurations.