Balancing two-sided assembly lines: a case study

Abstract

We describe the design and use of a computer program to balance two-sided assembly lines. The program embodies a balancing algorithm that emphasizes speed over accuracy for the interactive, rapid refinement of solutions. We argue that this is a more useful approach to balancing real assembly lines than the typical optimality-seeking techniques. We also discuss some theoretical properties of two-sided lines; and we include the data for a real assembly line, which to our knowledge is the first to appear in the open literature in over 30 years