Simulation and Optimization of a Sequenced Mixed-Model Line - Case Study of an Assembly of Gantry Car Washes

Abstract

. In car wash machine manufacturing, the assembly line is characterized by product diversity and workforce flexibility. The main challenge of operational control is to schedule assembly tasks to workstations by taking workforce availability and qualification into consideration. In order to help planners to better analyse, plan, and evaluate the assembly line, in this paper, we develop a framework in which simulation and optimization are ap-plied. Particularly, a simulation-based optimization approach is used to reduce excessive overload peaks for workstations. At last, an example of a solution for our in-dustrial partner is given to show the feasibility and the ap-plicability of our framework.