New methodological framework to improve productivity and ergonomics in assembly system design

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1. Introduction and literature review
Generally, an assembly line could be dedicated to produce
a single product model or multiple product models, where many
items could be processed simultaneously in batches or handled in
lot sizes of one item for each product model. Three main kinds of
Assembly Line Balancing Problem (ALBP) are represented in literature
(Becker and Scholl, 2006 and Scholl, 1995):

Single-model assembly line balancing problem (SALBP).

Batch-model assembly line balancing problem (BMALBP).

Mixed-model assembly line balancing problem (MALBP).


2. Method
2.1. New methodological framework
Fig. 1 illustrates the conceptual framework developed to assess
the assembly system design and optimization, linking productivity
with ergonomics considerations: it shows all main variables and
decisions involved in the integrated procedure. The procedure
proposed consists of three different sections: technological variables,
environmental variables, integrated procedure.

Technological variables: all variables linked to the product’s
characteristics, to the assembly process, to the industrial
market and to the space available.

Environmental variables: all variables linked to the work force
and its physiological and psychological safety and wellbeing,
considering also the psychosocial factors.