A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990

The objective of this study is to se arch for the characteristic features of semiautomatic production systems as relatively less attention has been paid to these systems than to other types of systems. A methodology for optimal design of such systems is suggested. The methodological features of semiautomatic systems are different from those of manual systems and automated systems, the two other basic systems types . For semiautomatic systems, the methodology includes three hierarchical subproblems: A mathematical model to determine the number of machines assigned to an operator in a semiautomatic work station; a balancing method for semiautomatic lines; and a mathematical mod el for designing optimally the product combination of multiple families in the semiautomatic system. For the first problem , we develop a mathematical model based on the conventional method, and apply algebraic or graphical methods to solve it. For the balancing problem , we analyze the traditional method for assembly lines, and then find the different operating conditions between it and semiautomatic lines, and develop a new principle to balance semiautomatic lines. For the last problem, we analyze the optimal system and develop a goal programming model to design the optimal combination of multiple types of product families in a semiautomatic system. In order to verify the validity of the developed methodology, it i s applied to a case system, a typical semiautomatic system with 350 work stations in 13 operations . We study the existing case , and redesign semiautomatic work stations and balance the semiautomatic lines, up to redesigning the optimal structure of the overall system.