This paper develops an analytical model to evaluate serial and paralle
l designs for an assembly system. The purpose is to identify when each
design is cost-effective, using minimal data. The analysis shows that
the design alternatives are based on a trade-off between labour and e
quipment utilization. Equations are derived for a simple system to ill
ustrate this trade-off. Results indicate that the optimal trade-off de
pends simply on the ratio of labour to equipment costs. The trade-off
analysis provides a first step towards establishing basic principles f
or assembly system design.