Optimizing and simulating production line balance based on human factors

In this paper, combining quantitative human factors load with production line balance (PLB), a set of systematic methodology is developed. Firstly, after analyzed the importance of human factors, the evaluation of those is briefly introduced. Then, a model of PLB considering human factors is developed, whose objectives are to minimize the workers number and smooth the human factors load in one cell/worker. Finally, a piston production line as an example is to optimize and simulate by Quest. The optimizing and simulating results indicate that considering human factor load of each process/task can make workers' workload more balance and more practical significance than only time.