TY - JOUR
T1 - Process-independent workstation layout for lean automation
AU - Shigematsu, K.
AU - Yamazaki, Y.
AU - Kato, S.
AU - Kojima, F.
AU - Takata, Shozo
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Owing to increasing labor costs, manufacturing companies have placed importance on the implementation of inexpensive automation systems, especially in developing countries. In response to such requirements, we have proposed a lean automation system, wherein the waiting time of the material handling equipment is reduced. This is achieved by grouping the operations and allocating equipment to each operation group. With this design method, the workstations are not necessarily arranged in the order of the process sequence. In this study, we propose a method for optimizing the workstation layout to reduce the equipment transfer distance and to decrease the cost of equipment for each product. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed lean automation system, the method developed herein is applied to an electric engine control unit assembly line.
AB - Owing to increasing labor costs, manufacturing companies have placed importance on the implementation of inexpensive automation systems, especially in developing countries. In response to such requirements, we have proposed a lean automation system, wherein the waiting time of the material handling equipment is reduced. This is achieved by grouping the operations and allocating equipment to each operation group. With this design method, the workstations are not necessarily arranged in the order of the process sequence. In this study, we propose a method for optimizing the workstation layout to reduce the equipment transfer distance and to decrease the cost of equipment for each product. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed lean automation system, the method developed herein is applied to an electric engine control unit assembly line.
KW - Assembly automation
KW - Design method
KW - Line layout
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047223187&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1016/j.cirp.2018.04.081
DO - 10.1016/j.cirp.2018.04.081
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85047223187
JO - CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology
JF - CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology
SN - 0007-8506
ER -