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Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing

Method

Article  in  IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSRJRME) · June 2017

DOI: 10.9790/7388-0703040714

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IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME)
e-ISSN: 2320–7388,p-ISSN: 2320–737X Volume 7, Issue 3 Ver. IV (May - June 2017), PP 07-14
www.iosrjournals.org

Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work

Sharing Method
Mahmud Parvez1, FariaBinta Amin2, Fahmida Akter2
1,2
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology,
Bangladesh

Abstract: Line balancing is an effective tool to improve the throughput of assembly line while reducing
bottleneck, cycle time. Line balancing is the problem of assigning operation to workstation along an assembly
line, in such a way that assignment is optimal in some sense. This project mainly focuses on improving overall
efficiency of single model assembly line by reducing the bottleneck activities, cycle time and distribution of work
load at each work station by line balancing, using line balancing techniques mainly work sharing method .The
methodology adopted includes calculation of cycle time of process, identifying bottleneck activities, calculating
total work load on station and distribution of work load using code block (c++) software on each workstation
also redesigning the layout by line balancing, in order to improve the efficiency of line and increase overall
productivity.
Keywords- Bottleneck, Efficiency, Layout, Line Balancing, Work Sharing Method.

I. Introduction
The production process of garments is separated into four main phases: designing or clothing pattern
generation, fabric cutting, sewing, and ironing or packing. The most critical phase is the sewing phase, as it
generally involves a great number of operations. The sewing line consists of a set of workstations in which a
specific task in a predefined sequence is processed. In general, one to several tasks is grouped into one
workstation[1]. Tasks are assigned to operators depending on the constraints of different labor skill levels.
Finally, several workstations in sequence are formed as a sewing line. Shop floor managers are concerned with
the balance of the lines by assigning the tasks to workstations as equally as possible. Unequal workload among
workstations of a sewing line will lead to the increase of both WIP and waiting time, indicating the increase of
both production cycle time and cost[2]. In practice, the sewing line managers or production controllers use their
experience to assign tasks to workstations based on the task sequence, labor skill levels and the standard time
required to complete each task. As a result, the line balance performance cannot be guaranteed from one
manager to another with different assignment preference and/or work experience. Manufacturing a product
always requires different types of sewing machines and different yarn colors, making it difficult to assign a
worker to perform operations on just a single machine[3].
1.1 Concept of line balancing
The Line balancing is “design a smooth production flow by allotting processes to workers so as to allow each
worker to complete the allotted workload within a given time. Line balancing is the problem of assigning
various tasks to workstations, while optimizing one or more objectives without violating any restrictions
imposed on the line.

1.2 Code blocks

Is a free, open-source cross-platform IDE that supports multiple compilers including GCC, Clang and Visual
C++ using wxWidgets as the GUI toolkit. Using a plugin architecture, it capabilities and features are defined by
the provided plugins. Currently, code::Blocks is oriented towards C, C++, and Fortran. It has a custom build
system and optional Make support.[4]

1.3 Workstation
It is an assigned location where a given amount of work is performed. Normally a workstation is manned by one
operator only. Sometimes, work stations are manned by several operators, e.g. aircraft production line.

1.4 Cycle Time (CT)

Cycle Time may be defined as the ratio between the effective time available per period and the
production volume per period. Effective time available = (Time per period) X per period (%Utilization of
period) the cycle time may also be interpreted in the following ways: It is the time between consecutive releases
of finished assembly’s frail the last station of the line. It is the time between consecutive releases of semi -
finished products between any two adjacent stations.[5]

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 Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing Method
1.5 Flexim Software
FlexSim is a powerful analysis tool that helps engineers and planners make intelligent decisions in the
design and operation of a system. With FlexSim, you can build a 3-dimensional computer model of a real- life
system, then study that system in a shorter time frame and for less cost than with the actual system. As a "what-
if" analysis tool, FlexSim provides quantitative feedback on a number of proposed solutions to help you quickly
narrow in on the optimum solution. With FlexSim's realistic graphical animation and extensive performance
reports, you can identify problems and evaluate alternative solutions in a short amount of time. By using
FlexSim to model a system before it is built, or to test operating policies before they are actually implemented,
you will avoid many of the pitfalls that are often encountered in the startup of a new system. Improvements that
previously took you months or years of trial-and-error experimentation to achieve can now be attained in a
matter of days and hours using Flexeim[6]

1.6 Why we use line balancing

All factories that have a line such as traditional assembly line and new assembly line such as heuristic
and U-type and also mixed model used a few technique such as work sharing , genetic algorithms and fuzzy
logic and also simulation method to improve a few parameter of line control in other hand ,manager like has a
productivity and high yield in their factory and for this goal get help from previous technique to locate a
machine ,employer ,assign employer to machine to select best choose for control and work by machine . In a
few company one employer control 2 or more than 2 machines and this result is output of line balancing. In
another word the company used line balancing for grow up the rate of production and decrease man power, idle
time and buffer near machine, also used line balancing for produced more than 2 products.[7] Assembly lines
are the most important components of mass production systems .The improved labor productivity is their
essential significance for manufacturers who have to produce high volume products in a fast and cost effective
manner. An assembly line consists of several successive workstations in which a group of assembly operations
(tasks) are performed in a limited duration (cycle time). The productivity level of an assembly line generally
depends on balancing performance. Assembly line balancing (ALB) is the problem of assigning tasks to
successive workstations by satisfying some constraints and optimizing a performance measure. This
performance measure is usually the minimization of the number of workstations utilized over the assembly line.

II. Literature Review

Assembly line balancing is the problem of assigning various tasks to workstations, while optimizing
one or more objectives without violating any restrictions imposed on the line. ALBP has been an active field of
research over the past decades due to its relevancy to diversified industries such as garment, footwear and
electronics. Ghosh and Gagnon (1989) as well as Erel and Sarin (1998) provided detailed reviews on these
topics. Configurations of assembly lines for single and multiple products could be divided by three line types,
single-model, mixed-model and multimodel. Single-model assembles only one product, and mixed-model
assembles multiple products, whereas a multimodel produces a sequence of batches with intermediate setup
operations (Becker & Scholl, 2006). This paper solves single-model line balancing problem with real
application. Boysen, Fliedner, and Scholl (2007, 2008) classified ALBPs and pointed out that there were less
than 5% articles explicitly solving line balancing of real world assembly systems. As a result, for practical
consideration, this paper focuses on the real case of an assembly line in garment manufacturing. Con
figurations of assembly lines for single and multiple products could be divided by three line types, single-model,
mixed-model and multi-model. Single -model assembles only one product, and mixed-model assembles
multiple products, whereas a multi-model produces a sequence of batches with intermediate setup operations. A
single-model line balancing problem with real application was solved in this project.[8]
ALBP with various objectives are classified into three types
 ALBP-I: Minimizes the number of workstations, for a given cycle time.
 ALBP-II: Minimizes the cycle time, for a given number of workstations.
 ALBP-III: Maximizes the workload smoothness, for a given number of workstations.
In type I problems, the ALBP of assigning tasks to workstations is formulated with the objective of
minimizing the number of workstations used to meet a target cycle time. It can result in low labor costs and
reduced space requirements. Type II problems maximize the production rate of an assembly line. Since this
objective requires a predetermined number of workstations, it can be seen as the counterpart of the previous one.
In general, shop managers are concerned with the workload equity among all workers. The issue of workload
smoothing in assembly lines allocates tasks among a given number of workstations, so that the workload is
distributed as evenly as possible. This problem is known as Type III problem.[9] Our project was focused on
type-1 line balancing problem. Relevant data obtained from an apparel industry was used to formulate the
solution. The objective of the project was to balance the cycle time for various operations and minimization of
workstations.[10]

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 Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing Method

III. Methodology
In order to balance a production line in sewing floor a line was chosen and necessary data was accumulated
from the line.

3.1 Work sharing method

An apparel garment order is chosen which was started in that line, knowing total amount of order, style
description, fabric type and color. Two important attributes have been considered, one is possible standard
method for each process and another is considerable time in between the input has been fed to the time study
took to record the actual individual capacity of each worker. We have recorded the time to make each process
for each and every worker to find out the number of operator and helper, type of machines and individual
capacity. To find out the(standard minute value ) S.M.V , process wise capacity has been calculated, in addition
to that we have calculated the target, benchmark capacity, actual capacity line graph, labor productivity and line
efficiency using code blocks(c++). After taking necessary data from the line we proposed a suitable line
balancing technique for the line. At first we highlighted the bottleneck processes which were our prime concern
and then seek solution to minimize the problem. In this project we proposed a method to balance the line by
sharing workload among equally adept workers who has experience in both the bottleneck process and
balancing process. Line has been balanced considering the bottleneck and balancing process where the
balancing process has shared the excess time after the benchmark production in the bottleneck process. After
balancing, new manpower has been proposed and final capacity of each worker has been reallocated. We have
compared the line target after balancing the line, labor productivity and line efficiency. Finally a proposed
production layout has been modeled with balanced capacity. And the layout is redesigned by using flexim
software.

IV. Equations
For Calculating Capacity:
Capacity per hour=60/SMV…………………………………………………………………………………..…(1)
Equation of Daily Production:
Daily production=capacity per hour*working hour..............................................................................................(2)
Tact Time of a Line:
Tact time=Total SMV ÷No. of operators……………………………………………………………………..…(3)
Daily Target:
Target= (Total manpower per line*total working minutes per day) ÷SMV………………………………….....(4)
S.M.V. Calculation:
Standard minute value (S.M.V) = (average cycle time * allowance) in minute ……………………………….(5)
Manpower Requirement Is:
Theoretical manpower = Benchmark target per hour/ Process capacity per hour………………………..…….(6)
For Calculating Labour Productivity:
Labor productivity = Total number of output per day per line÷ number of workers worked…………………(7)
Efficiency of a Line:
Line efficiency = (Total output per day per lines S.M.V ) ÷(Total manpower per line* total Working minutes
per
day) 100%...........................................................................................................................................................(8)

V. Data analysis& calculation

5.1collection of data
5.1collection of data
We collect the data for a single line of sewing process from Crony group of industries.

Table 5.1: data for a single

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 Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing Method

3 Neck binding O/L 8 9 7 8 9 8 8 9 9 9 .14 .95 .13 .16

4 Thread cut& HEL 1 11 10 11 9 10 11 12 12 12 .18 .7 .12 .15
folding P 2
5 Neck top F/L 9 10 11 8 9 9 10 11 10 10 .16 .95 .15 .18
stitch
6 Shoulder S/N 8 9 10 8 9 9 10 8 9 10 .15 .9 .13 .16
cross tuck
7 2nd shoulder O/L 9 8 10 8 9 10 10 10 8 9 .15 .9 .13 .16
join
8 Shoulder out S/N 9 10 11 12 10 11 12 10 9 9 .17 .9 .16 .19
tuck
9 Sleeve pear HEL 8 9 7 8 9 8 8 9 9 9 .14 .9 .13 .14
P
10 Sleeve & HEL 1 13 14 14 12 15 13 14 13 12 .22 .7 .15 .18
body match P 3
11 Sleeve join O/L 1 13 16 13 14 13 15 15 16 15 .24 .85 .20 .23
5
12 Thread cut & HEL 1 12 14 11 13 12 13 14 13 14 .28 .7 .15 .18
folding P 3
13 Side seam O/L 1 19 17 18 18 17 19 15 16 17 .3 .7 .21 .24
close 8
14 Thread cut & HEL 1 13 14 13 12 14 15 13 12 13 .21 .7 .15 .18
folding P 2
15 Label sewing S/N 1 10 9 10 11 11 12 10 11 12 .17 .85 .14 .17
1
16 Bottom hem F/L 8 9 8 9 10 10 9 9 10 10 .15 .95 .14 .17
17 Churi hem F/L 1 13 16 13 14 13 15 15 16 15 .24 .95 .22 .27
5
18 Thread cut & HEL 1 13 16 13 14 13 15 15 16 15 .24 .7 .17 .20
folding P 5

5.2 Before line balancing

The first step of line balancing is to breakdown the operation into sequential logical order. The breakdown is
done to better understand and implement the sequential order of product processing steps.
Taking cycle time for each operation is done manually and S.M.V is calculated from the average time with
suitable allowance. Adding total S.M.V we can obtain target/hour. In this case 80% efficiency is the desired
output level per hour. Before line balancing production scenario is illustrated in the figure 5.1

Fig 5.1: bench mark target, labor productivity and line efficiency before balancing line

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 Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing Method

5.3 Bottleneck processes

From Table 5.1 we have acknowledged some variations in process capacity from the bench mark target
and the lower capacity with highest SMV from the bench mark target is the bottleneck process as production
flow would stuck on the bottleneck point. Comparing total capacity of each process to the 80% bench mark
target, we have identified the bottleneck processes named Thread cut & folding, Sleeve join, Churihem .

5.4 Balancing Processes

Sharing method is very crucial to make the production flow almost smoother compare to the previous
layout. Considering working distance, type of machines and efficiency, workers who have extra time to work
after completing their works, have been shared their work to complete the bottleneck processes. Previously
identified three bottleneck processes have been discussed in the Table 4.2 .Thread cut & folding have been
made by overlock machine and this have been shared by two overlock machine processes named shoulder join
& neck binding. Sleeve join which also have been made by overlock machine and is sheared by shoulder cross
tuck. Again Churi hem which has been made by flat lock machine is shared by other flat lock machine named
bottom hem. Process 2 can work for 50min &3 can work for 45 min& share with process 13 for last 10 &15 min
respectively .Again process 6 can work for 45 min & share work with process 11 for last 15 min. And process
16 can work for 45 min & share work with process 17 for last 15 min

First column on both side of center table 5.2 shows the machine type and then followed by process no.
process name, S.M.V , previous capacity and after balance capacity. After first process thread cut & folding has
been come to process no. 2 named 1 st shoulder join, then process no.3neck binding have been passed to process
no. 13. Shoulder cross tuck then has been passed to process no. 11 and so on. In the proposed balancing process

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 Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing Method
machines of the same type are used for line balancing. Process no 2 and 3 are both overlock operations, process
13 and 11 are also done by overlock machine, process 16 and 17 are done by flat lock machine .So workers
operating on the same machines are accustomed to the various operations done by the same machine. As a result
they can share their work.

VI. Result& Discussion

6.1 Proposed layout
Using work-sharing method ,we have designed a proposed layout where process no. 13 have been shared by
process no. 2&3.And process no. 11 has been shared by process no. 6.Again process no. 17 has been shared by
process no. 16. We have denoted here the final layout of the line & the position of the machines in fig. 6.1 .

Fig 6.1: Result using code blocks

6.2 Result using code blocks

Using code blocks (c++), we show the calculation of actual output, line efficiency, line balancing that
all are increased & the bottleneck of the line has been decreased. Before line balancing, our actual output were
227.So the production/day was: 1816.As our target is 2100, so it can’t meet the target. Now we have got our
final actual output 263 & daily production is: 2104 & it is increased by 288.

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 Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing Method

Fig 6.2: showing result using code blocks (C++)

6.3 proposed layout using flexim software

The layout we have acquired in work sharing method, is now redesigned by flexim software. We have run the
line of each work station by flexim software to see from which station our product pass from other stations.

Fig 6.3: Proposed layout using Flexim

VI. Conclusion
We consider the unbalancing problem in an industrial production line of production line. In order to
recognize the bottleneck stations, the whole production line is calculated for different types of operations. In
order to recognize the bottleneck stations, the whole production line is calculated for different types of
operations by code blocks(c++) software. The calculation results provide a comprehensive insight for managers
about backward and forward flows of the products in production line. Therefore, by changing the locations of
stations and performing some improvements in activities of one station, the improvement scenarios are
generated. Redesigning the improvement scenarios reveal that the confliction problems between backward and
forward flows of the products are resolved. Moreover, the WIP products are greatly decreased and the
bottleneck problem is eliminated. Our results show that the calculation using codeblocks(c++) based on
statistical techniques is an effective method for balancing the complicated production lines in the real industrial
cases.

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 Line Balancing Techniques To Improve Productivity Using Work Sharing Method
7.1. Recommendations for Future Research
Result would have been more effective if we would have taken some large quantity order and balancing
the process is highly related to the type of machines as machine utilized in bottleneck and balancing process
should be similar. Further improvements in the productivity can be achieved by considering large amount of
order minimum 10000pieces. Table4.2 shows the new bench mark target which can be the further chance of
improvements to balance the line with this new bench mark target. Proposed layout model has been followed
the logic of modular system (one worker works more than two processes who is skilled on all processes and
these combination of skilled workers finish their work in piece flow production) and traditional system (one
worker works in one process and all the workers who may be skilled or not finish their work in bundle flow
production) both together where only modular production system can be applicable with a series of skilled
workers to achieve more productivity. On this occasion, skilled workers are eligible for the production processes
and proper training and supervision is essential to achieve the optimum improvements on productivity. We can
improve the flexim software to use it in many sections. We can also improve our code blocks programming for
simulation of our line.

References
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