Heuristics for operator allocation and sequencing in product-line-cells with manually operated machines

This paper addresses the problem of operator allocation and sequencing in a product line that manufactures different varieties of products. The line is divided into cells such that there is single piece movement within the cell and batch production between cells. Operators are assumed to be multiskilled and process parts on all the machines in the cell, carrying them from one machine to another. The number of operators allotted to a cell can be less than the number of machines, and the time to produce a batch depends on the operator allocation. Algorithms for operator allocation and sequencing of jobs to minimize makespan are developed. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.