A comprehensive literature review and analysis of the design, balancing and scheduling of assembly systems

TLDR

The paper reviews and analyzes assembly line balancing literature to assess design, balancing, and scheduling issues. The authors develop an eight‑level hierarchical taxonomy of quantitative and qualitative factors and apply it to evaluate progress in assembly system design, balancing, and scheduling. Based on the review and taxonomy, the authors propose future research directions for socio‑technical assembly systems.

Abstract

SUMMARY This paper reports the results of a comprehensive review and analysis of the assembly line balancing literature. Quantitative developments and qualitative issues are addressed at both the strategic and tactical levels. The numerous quantitative and qualitative factors which the literature mentions could impact the design, balancing and scheduling of assembly systems are organized into an eight-level hierarchical, factor/decision taxomony. This comprehensive taxonomy is used to assess our progress in assembly system design and operation. Finally, from the results of the literature review and progress assessment, suggestions for future research on socio-technical assembly systems are offered.