• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.425-428
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• 2004

Flexible assembly line (FAL) is a production system that assembles various parts in unidirectional flow line with many constraints and manufacturing flexibilities. In this research we deal with a FAL balancing problem with the objective of minimizing the maximum workload allocated to the stations. However, almost all the existing researches do not appropriately consider various constraints due to the problem complexity. Therefore, this thesis addresses a balancing problem of FAL with many constraints and manufacturing flexibilities, unlike the previous researches. To solve this problem we use a genetic algorithm (GA). To apply GA to FAL, we suggest a genetic representation suitable for FAL balancing and devise evaluation method for individual's fitness and genetic operators specific to the problem, including efficient repair method for preserving solution feasibility. The experimental results are reported.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.7-12
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• 1985

Line balancing algorithm can be classified by two class, the analytical method and the heuristic method. In this thesis the study was focused on the determinstic line balancing model of the single model production assembly line balancing which is one of the heuristic method. The algorithm of Tonge, Kilbridge & Wester, Helgeson & Birnie which is using the analytical method was examined with one example. And then the algorithms were compared with using line balancing-efficiency, number of work station, standard deviation and range. The result showed that Helgeson & Birnie algorithm is the most convenient in use. A computer program was run in order to use Helgeson & algorithm more conveniently.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.59-65
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• 2010

This paper proposes a modified heuristic mixed model assembly line (MMAL) balancing algorithm that provides consistent station assignments on a model by model basis as well as on a station by station. Basically, some of single model line balancing techniques are modified and incorporated to be fit into the MMAL. The proposed algorithm is based on N.T. Thomopoulos' [8] method and supplemented with several well proven single model line balancing techniques proposed in the literature until recently. Hoffman's precedence matrix [2] is used to indicate the ordering relations among tasks. Arcus' Rule IX [1] is applied to generate rapidly a fairly large number of feasible solutions. Consequently, this proposed algorithm reduces the fluctuations in operation times among the models as well as the stations and the balance delays. A numerical example shows that the proposed algorithm can provide a good feasible solution in a relatively short time and generate relatively better solutions comparing to other three existing methods.

• IE interfaces
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.282-293
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• 2004

Line Balancing is the problem to assign tasks to stations while satisfying some managerial viewpoints. Most researches about the Mixed-Model Line Balancing problems are focused on the minimizing the total processing time or the number of workstations. Independently, some research reports consider the balance issues of the physical workloads on the assembly line. In this paper, we are presenting a new mathematical model to accomplish the line balance considering both the processing time and the workloads at the same time. To this, end, we propose an zero-one integer program problem, and we use the Chebyshev Goal Programming approach as the solution method. Some computational test runs are performed to compare the pay-offs between the processing time and the workloads. And, the test results show us that the reliable balanced work schedules can be obtained through the proposed model.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2004

This paper presents a new method that can efficiently solve the integrated problem of line balancing and model sequencing in mixed-model U-lines (MMULs). Balancing and sequencing problems are important for an efficient use of MMULs and are tightly related with each other. However, in almost all the existing researches on mixed-model production lines, the two problems have been considered separately. A genetic algorithm for balancing and sequencing in mixed-model U line is proposed. A presentation method and genetic operators are proposed. Extensive experiments are carried out to analyze the performance of the proposed algorithm. The computational results show that the proposed algorithm is promising in solution quality.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.109-124
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• 2001

This paper presents a new method that can efficiently solve the integrated problem of line balancing and model sequencing in mixed model assembly lines (MMALs). Line balancing and model sequencing are important for an efficient use of MMALs. The two problems of balancing and sequencing MMALs are tightly related with each other. However, In almost all the existing researches on mixed-model production lines, the two problems have been considered separately. In this research, an endosymbiotic evolutionary a1gorithm, which is a kind of coevolutionary a1gorithm, is adopted as a methodology in order to solve the two problems simultaneously. This paper shows how to apply an endosymbiotic evolutionary a1gorithm to solving the integrated problem. Some evolutionary schemes are used In the a1gorithm to promote population diversity and search efficiency. The proposed a1gorithm is compared with the existing evolutionary algorithms in terms of solution quality and convergence speed. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our approach.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-22
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• 1993

This paper deals with the problem of mixed model assembly line balancing. In mixed model assembly lines, tsks should be assigned to stations in such a manner that all stations have approximately the same amount of work on a production cycle basis. Further in balancing assembly lines, the related tasks, the performing task side and the team tasks should be considered to improve work methods, to give more job satisfaction to workers, and to allow greater flexibility in the design of assembly lines. In this paper, the heuristic dispatch assignment rule is developed to assign evenly tasks of each model to all stations. The heuristic method based on the assignment rule developed is presented for mixed model assembly line balancing with the considerations of the related tasks, the performing task side, and the team tasks. The proposed method is analyzed, and compared with other methods for line balancing.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.140-146
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• 2002

High speed rotating machines can be very sensitive to rotating mass unbalance that is a major source of harmful vibration for many types of rotating machinery. So, the balancing procedure is needed for all high-speed rotating system. To save the time and cost of off-line balancing, many researchers have developed the on-line balancing devices and methods. In this paper, an active balancing device, which is an electro-magnetic type, is developed and the active balancing algorithm using influence coefficient method is also proposed. The active balancing experiment for flexible rotors during operation is performed by an active balancing device. As a result, controlled unbalance responses are below the vibration limit at all rotating speed ranges with critical speed.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.381-388
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• 1997

This paper proposes a heuristic algorithm to efficiently perform line balancing in the PCB assembly line including multiple surface mounters efficiently. Generally, the problems in line balancing are classified into two kinds. Firstly, is the determining of the minimum number of machines required for achieving the desired production rate. Secondly, is the assign of jobs to multiple machines in order to minimize the cycle time which is defined as a maximum among the working times of machines when the number of machines is fixed. In this paper, we deal with the latter. We consider a PCB assembly line, including the multiple surface mounters arranged serially as a target system. Also, the conveyor is assumed to move at a constant speed and have no buffer. Considering that the minimum number of machines required for the desired production rate is a discrete nonincreasing function which is inversely proportional to the cycle time, we propose an optimization algorithm for line balancing by using the binary search method. The algorithm is validated through computer simulation, the results of which show that their shapes coincide nearly with those of optimal line balancing efficiency graphs regardless of the number of components, the performance of surface mounters, and the structure of assembly line.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2012

This paper introduces several mobile robots developed by using LEGO MIDSTORM for experimental studies of robotics engineering education. The first mobile robot is the line tracer robot that tracks a line, which is a prototype of wheel-driven mobile robots. Ultra violet sensors are used to detect and follow the line. The second robot system is a two-wheel balancing robot that is somewhat nonlinear and complex. For the robot to balance, a gyro sensor is used to detect a balancing angle and PD control is used. The last robot system is a combined system of a line tracer and a two-wheel balancing robot. Sensor filtering and control algorithms are tested through experimental studies.