Planning assistance for pearl chain forecasts and personnel assignment planning of sequenced assembly lines

In sequenced automobile assembly, the assignment of personnel is done at almost all major manufacturers subordinate to the sequencing, resulting in sub-optimal utilization of personnel resources. By integrating the sequence planning with the personnel assignment planning, a significant increase in hours-per-vehicle efficiencies is possible. The presented integrated planning approach combines a sequencing solution based on constraint programming, with incident-discrete simulation. The hybrid-solution evaluates the sequence-building regarding personnel and procedural restrictions with the intent of simultaneously optimizing the vehicle sequence and the deployed assembly personnel, resulting in lower capacity demand fluctuations and increased utilization of personnel resources.