Multi-objective optimization of the U-shaped assembly line ‎balancing and worker assignment considering setup-times ‎and workers' skill

Abstract

Purpose: In this research due to the importance of the U-shaped assembly line balancing and, on the other hand, the importance of human factors and setup times, we want to develop a bi-objective mathematical model minimize the cycle time and the total cost.Methodology: Since the research problem is shown to be NP-hard, NSGA-II, which is a population-based algorithm, and also SPEA-II are used to solve the problem.Findings: A mathematical model for the problem on hand is developed. We solve the problem using NSGA-II and SPEA-II. We use four criteria for analyzing the results of the mathematical model and evaluating the performance of the multi-objective evolutionary algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate that NSGA-II is superior to SPEA-II.Originality/Value: A bi-objective mathematical model for the U-shaped assembly line balancing problem considering setup-times and workers' skill is developed, and the problem is solved using two algorithms.

Keywords

• u-shaped assembly line balancing
• setup time
• workers' skill
• nsga-ii
• spea-ii