Application of a Controlled Assembly Vocabulary: Modeling a Home Appliance Transfer Line

Abstract

A controlled vocabulary list that was originally developed for the automotive assembly environment was modified for home appliance assembly in this study. After surveying over 700 assembly tasks with the original vocabulary, additions were made to the vocabulary list as necessary. The vocabulary allowed for the transformation of work instructions in approximately 90% of cases, with the most discrepancies occurring during the inspection phase of the transfer line. The modified vocabulary list was then tested for coder reliability to ensure broad usability and was found to have Cohen’s kappa values of 0.671 < κ < 0.848 between coders and kappa values of 0.731 < κ < 0.875 within coders over time. Using this analysis, it was demonstrated that this original automotive vocabulary could be applied to the non-automotive context with a high degree of reliability and consistency.