On The Assembly Line Balancing Problem: A Simplified Perspective With The Precedence Matrix

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37385/jaets.v6i1.5597

Keywords:

Assembly Line Balancing, Precedence Matrix, Spreadsheets, Priority Rules

Abstract

The assembly line balancing problem (ALBP) has been an attractive research area for decades; however, the industrial application of the research findings remains limited. This can be attributed to the complexity of solution methods, restrictive assumptions, and the numerous variants of the problem in the real-world settings. This article describes using the precedence matrix as the basis for developing simplified, more practical analysis frameworks for the ALBP. We introduce algorithms to construct the precedence matrix from basic assembly problem data and implement it within a spreadsheet model, and to utilize this matrix in assigning the assembly tasks to workstations while ensuring assignment feasibility. The structure and potential uses of the precedence matrix-based framework are presented in detail. Furthermore, we compare selected line balancing priority rules using the proposed framework to demonstrate its effectiveness. The results suggest that the precedence matrix model is a straightforward, efficient tool for line balancing analysis, that can offer substantial support to both industry practitioners and academic researchers.

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Author Biographies

Magdy Helal, American University of the Middle East

Magdy Helal is an Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at the American University of the Middle East, Kuwait. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida; USA, M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Manufacturing Engineering from Benha University; Egypt. Dr. Helal’s research interests include modeling and simulation of the production systems, production planning and control, and th industrial applications of the machine learning tools.

Kaushik Nag, American University of the Middle East

Kaushik Nag (BEng, MSc, PhD) (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6363-9114) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. Prior to joining in AUM, he has worked for the University of Central Lancashire, UK as an academic and has also served the heavy engineering industries for several years with METCO Ltd., India; as a project engineer, managing projects primarily catering to steel and defense industries. His research interests include Material Processing, Manufacturing and Quality Management.

Rifat Ozdemir, American University of the Middle East

Rifat Ozdemir (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7229-3701) is an associate professor of Industrial Engineering at College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait. He received his Ph.D. degree in Operations Management at Istanbul University in 2000, his M.S. degree in Engineering Management in Industrial Engineering at Istanbul Technical University in 1995, and his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering at Istanbul Technical University in 1990. His research focuses are assembly line balancing, production and service systems, ergonomics, and optimization.

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Published

2024-12-15

How to Cite

Helal, M., Nag, K., & Ozdemir, R. (2024). On The Assembly Line Balancing Problem: A Simplified Perspective With The Precedence Matrix. Journal of Applied Engineering and Technological Science (JAETS), 6(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.37385/jaets.v6i1.5597