Design and implementation of a line balance visualization and editing tool

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop a knowledge representation for managing and modifying assembly line balance information through visualization tools. Additionally, a software tool, the Line Balancing Visualization and Editing Tool (LVET), is developed that enables assembly line balancing experts to view and edit line balance knowledge. The tool is integrated with external line balancing algorithms and assembly line constraints. This knowledge representation and associated tool provide a graphical representation of workstation layout, processes assigned to workstations, and tool and time constraint information. The tool enables complex line text based results to be visualized graphically. The tool is validated by checking for consistent and correct representation of information from an algorithm generated line balance.