C-ALB (Collaborative Assembly Line Balancing): a new approach in cobot solutions

AbstractCollaborative robots can be a proper solution to improve the throughput of manual systems without reducing their flexibility. To effectively use cobots in productive systems, it is fundamental to develop a suitable task allocation model that considers collaboration. Hence, we present a model for collaborative assembly line balancing (C-ALB) which considers paralleling tasks and collaboration in the balancing resolution. Indexes that take into account both the product and process characteristics are defined to evaluate the quality of the proposed task allocation model and comparing it to others. The results confirm the influence of the product characteristics on the system performance, leading to the definition of a new paradigm for product design.

Download Full-text

C-ALB - Collaborative Assembly Line Balancing: A New Approach in Cobot Solutions

10.21203/rs.3.rs-213225/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Giovanni Boschetti ◽

Maurizio Faccio ◽

Mattia Milanese ◽

Riccardo Minto

Keyword(s):

Task Allocation ◽

Assembly Line ◽

Assembly Line Balancing ◽

Line Balancing ◽

Proper Solution ◽

New Paradigm ◽

Allocation Model ◽

Collaborative Assembly ◽

Product And Process ◽

Productive Systems

Abstract Collaborative robots can be a proper solution to improve the throughput of manual systems without reducing their flexibility. To effectively use cobots in productive systems it is fundamental to develop a suitable task allocation model that considers collaboration. Hence, we present a model for collaborative assembly line balancing (C-ALB) which considers paralleling tasks and collaboration in the balancing resolution. Indexes that take into account both the product and process characteristics are defined to evaluate the quality of the proposed task allocation model and comparing it to others. The results confirm the influence of the product characteristics on the system performance, leading to the definition of a new paradigm for product design.

Download Full-text

An Approach to Integrate Product and Process Design Using Augmented Liaison Diagram, Assembly Sequencing, and Assembly Line Balancing

Journal of Mechanical Design ◽

10.1115/1.4050381 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Shun Takai

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Process Design ◽

Concurrent Engineering ◽

Assembly Line ◽

Assembly Line Balancing ◽

Line Balancing ◽

Assembly Sequences ◽

Product And Process ◽

Assembly Tasks ◽

Line Design

Abstract Concurrent engineering is a product development approach in which engineers simultaneously design products and processes to improve customer satisfaction, enhance product quality, and reduce product costs. While various design methodologies have been proposed to support concurrent engineering, development of a systematic methodology that comprehensively integrates product and process design is still an ongoing research need. Traditional DFA has been extended to concurrently design subassemblies and assembly sequences; however, the optimum assembly sequence depends on the efficiency of the assembly line and how assembly tasks are assigned to workstations without causing extensive idle time. This study extends past approaches in the concurrent design of products and processes by integrating assembly line balancing, assembly line design, and sensitivity analysis of assembly line design in addition to assembly line sequencing. In particular, this study proposes an approach to simultaneously designing products and processes by integrating 1) a liaison diagram augmented with additional information on the type of liaisons (e.g., screw fixing, snap fitting, or contacting) to find stable subassemblies and corresponding assembly tasks, 2) assembly sequencing to generate all feasible assembly sequences that satisfy requirements for stable subassembly, 3) assembly line balancing to identify all possible assignments of tasks to workstations and to find corresponding cycle times and utilization, 4) assembly line designs that include the types and number of assembly lines for each product design, and 5) sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness of the assembly line design.

Download Full-text