A multiobjective GRASP for the 1/3 variant of the time and space assembly line balancing problem

Abstract

Time and space assembly line balancing considers realistic multiobjective versions of the classical assembly line balancing industrial problems, involving the joint optimisation of conflicting criteria such as the cycle time, the number of stations, and/or the area of these stations. The aim of this contribution is to present a new algorithm, based on the GRASP methodology, for the 1/3 variant of this family of industrial problems. This variant involves the joint minimisation of the number and the area of the stations, given a fixed cycle time limit. The good behaviour of our proposal is demonstrated by means of performance indicators in four problem instances and a real one from a Nissan factory. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.