Multi-objective mixed-model assembly line rebalancing: Model and algorithm

Within the lifetime of a modern production system, mixed-model assembly line rebalancing problems caused by new product introduction are frequently aroused. This paper considered the rebalancing cost and efficiency of the new line simultaneously. A new method evaluating rebalancing cost was proposed and the rebalancing model was formulated. A multi-objective genetic-algorithm was developed to solve this problem. The performance of the algorithm was tested on mixed-model balancing benchmark problems. Experimental results show that this algorithm can solve the rebalancing problem effectively and outperforms algorithm proposed by Merengo et al.