ULINO: Optimally balancing U-shaped JIT assembly lines

Traditionally, assembly lines are arranged in a straight line. The design o f such a line requires tasks to be grouped into stations such that the line efficiency is maximized. This problem is known as the assembly line balanc ing problem. However, as a consequence of introducing the just-in-time prod uction principle, it has been recognized that arranging the stations in a U -line has several advantages over the traditional configuration. For solving different versions of the U-line assembly line balancing proble m, we propose the branch and bound procedure ULINO which is applied directl y and in the framework of search methods. Experimental results indicate tha t these procedures perform well and that the U-line configuration frequentl y improves the line efficiency compared to traditional lines.