Operators Skill Level Evaluation Method for Balancing of an Apparel Assembly Line

摘要

The Assembly Line Balancing Problem (ALBP) engages the interest of many researchers. However, the number of researchers that treat this problem is still small in the field of apparel manufacturing. The fact that an apparel assembly line is labour intensive and insufficiently automated further complicates the problem. Operator Skill Level (OSL) as a category that has a significant effect on ALBP in the industry also has not been analysed enough. This study presents a model for evaluation and comparison of the OSL and based on that, designs algorithm for optimal scheduling of the operators on the production line in response to customer demand. The application of this model is demonstrated through conducting a case study in an apparel company. It is determined that the proposed model can lead to significant improvement of the performance of the production line by better operator allocation based on skill levels. The model can ensure improvements related to increasing the line efficiency for 28%, daily output for 27.3% and decrease labour force for 18.5% and production time for 20%.