Mixed-model assembly line balancing problem with tasks assignment

Modern production systems are focused on the objectives dictated by customer needs oriented market. The best results are obtained by production systems combining the advantages of mass production with the possibility of implementing product variants corresponding to the needs of an individual customer. An Example of the production system that meets those conditions is mixed-model assembly line. The main problem of this solution is to plan the order of operations and assign the operators' tasks in such a way to obtain the best balance of a given line. In this study, several metaheuristic methods that can be used to solve line balancing and tasks assignment problems are presented. The purpose of this study is to show the advantage of simulated annealing over other methods in solving the described problem. This paper is introduction to future research in scope of mixed-model assembly line optimization focused on employees' effectiveness.