A Novel Approach for the Assembly Line Balancing Problem through In-tegration of Genetic Algorithm and Simulation Analysis

Background: The problem of assembly line balancing has become one of the most important research aspects. Recent relevant patents and researchers have found that how to look for a better method to improve the efficiency of assembly line is important. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide a novel approach for the assembly line balancing problem through integration of genetic algorithm and simulation analysis. Methods: In this study, the assembly line balancing problem of type-I is described and the mathematic model for assembly line balancing problem of type-I is established. Moreover, genetic algorithm is applied for optimizing the workstation operation time and simulation analysis method is used to explore the bottleneck workstations and potential bottleneck workstations. The key techniques of the proposed approach are elaborated and the flowchart is designed. Finally, an electric tapping machine assembly line balancing problem is taken as an industry application example to verify the proposed approach. Results: Simulation results show that the (potential) bottleneck workstations can be identified and the efficiency of assembly line can be improved. Conclusion: Through integration of genetic algorithm and simulation analysis, the efficiency of the electric tapping machine assembly line has been improved as well as improvement of the (potential) bottleneck workstations leads to reliability of the assembly line.