DO JIT LINES PERFORM BETTER THAN TRADITIONALLY BALANCED LINES

Over the past decade, JIT approach for designing and operating lines h as evolved to compete on time dimensions. Traditionally, the lines des igned and operated using line balancing approach are considered optima l. Uses simulation methodology to compare each of these approaches und er various levels of system variability and total inventory in the sys tem. Shows that when system variability is low, the JIT line produces lower cycle time at almost all levels of total inventory in the system . However, when system variability is high the balanced line yields lo wer cycle time, especially at lower levels of inventory in the system.