Reconfigurable mixed model assembly line design in a dynamic production environment

A mixed model assembly line is generally designed to produce a certain production mixed and volume that is assumed to be steady for a long period. As a result, the line performance tends to decline by some fluctuations in production demand. In a dynamic production environment, an assembly line configuration and product sequence may need to be revised every time the demand changes to keep the line efficient. However, frequent or radical reconfiguration of the line could be costly; the change of the line configuration and product sequence should be optimized. This paper presents a model of a reconfigurable mixed model assembly line design in a dynamic production environment. The model is formulated in a non linear integer programming formulation that minimizes total cost of assembly line reconfiguration for a multiple-period. Numerical example of the model shows the application of the model and yields a reconfigurable mixed model assembly line.