Assembly Topics

We apply techniques to solve assembly and transfer line balancing and sequencing. Problem specifications include parallel workstations, mixed model assembly lines, two-sided assembly lines, zoning constraints, and ergonomic constraints.

assembly line

Selected Publications

  1. Ibrahim Ozan Yilmazlar (presenter), Mary E. Kurz, “Greedy Heuristics, Local Search Algorithms and Metaheuristics for Solving Car Sequencing Problem”, IISE Annual Meeting 2021, Virtual May 25, 2021.
  2. I. Ozan Yilmazlar, Adarsh Jeyes, Alexis Fiore, Apurva Patel, Chelsea Spence, Chase Wentzky, Nicole Zero, Mary E. Kurz, Joshua D. Summers, Kevin M. Taaffe, (2020). “A case study in line balancing and simulation”, 2020, Procedia Manufacturia, accepted Spring 2020, Vol 48, 71-81. [PDF]
  3. Phelan, K. T., Summers, J. D., & Kurz, M. B. (2019). “Rule authoring for vehicle configuration management: an experimental study on graph-based representations.” International Journal of Mass Customisation, 5(2), 130--146. Available online: 13 Nov 2019
  4. Chelsea Spence (presenter), Alexis Fiore, Adarsh Jeyes, Edwin Chase Wentzky, Ibrahim Ozan Yilmazlar, Nicole Zero, Mary Beth Kurz (presenter), Joshua D. Summers, Kevin M. Taaffe, “A Case Study in Line Balancing and Simulation”, INFORMS 2019, Seattle WA, Oct 20-23, 2019.
  5. Pearce, B.W., Antani, K., Mears, M.L., Funk, K., Mayorga, M.E, Kurz, M.E., 2019, “An effective integer program for a general assembly line balancing problem with parallel workers and additional assignment restrictions”, Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Vol. 50, 180-192. [PDF] [Online Article]
  6. Wentzky, C., Spence, C., Patel, A., Zero, N., Jeyes, A., Fiore, A., Summers, J. D., Kurz, M. B., Taaffe, K. M. (2019). “Application of a Controlled Assembly Vocabulary: Modeling a Home Appliance Transfer Line.” IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology (pp. 439-446). [Online Article]
  7. Kurz, M. (presenter), K. Taaffe, C. Spence, J. Summers, A. Fiore, E.C. Wentzky, A. Patel, “Transfer Line Balancing with Buffer Locations”, IISE Annual Conference 2019, Orlando FL, May 18-21, 2019.
  8. Kurz, M. (presenter - poster), Alghazi, Anas, “Sequencing and Line Balance Interaction in Multi-worker Mixed-model Assembly Lines”, INFORMS 2018, Phoenix, AZ, Nov 4-7, 2018.
  9. Kurz, M. (presenter), Alghazi, Anas, “Mixed model sequencing in two-sided assembly lines”, EURO 2018, Valencia Spain, July 8-11, 2018.
  10. Alghazi, Anas, M. Kurz (presenter), “A study in the impact of different constraints in mixed model line-balancing”, 2018 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC2018), Orlando, FL, May 19-May 22, 2018.
  11. Alghazi, A. and Kurz, M.E., January 2018, “Mixed Model Line Balancing with Parallel Stations, Zoning Constraints, and Ergonomics,” Constraints. Vol. 23, No 1, 123-153. [PDF] [Online Article]
  12. Alghazi, Anas, M. Kurz (presenter), “Mixed Model Sequencing with Swimming across Station Boundaries”, 2017 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC2017), Pittsburgh PA, May 20-May 23, 2017.
  13. Keith T. Phelan, Joshua David Summers, Mary E. Kurz, Crystal Wilson, Bryan Wayne Pearce, Joerg Schulte, Stephan Knackstedt, ((spring) 2017) "Configuration and options management processes and tools: an automotive OEM case study", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 28 Issue: 2, pp.146-168. [Online Article]
  14. Alghazi, Anas, M. Kurz (presenter), “Sequencing in Mixed Model Assembly Lines”, 2016 INFORMS Annual Meeting, Nashville TN, November 13 – November 16, 2016.
  15. Alghazi, Anas, M. Kurz (presenter), “A Realistic Mixed-model ALBP with Parallel Workstations, Zoning, and Ergonomic Constraints”, 2016 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC2016), Anaheim CA, May 21-May 24, 2016.
  16. Bryan Pearce, Mary E. Kurz, Keith Phelan, Joshua Summers, Jorg Schulte, Wolfgang Dieminger, Kilian Funk, “Configuration Management Through Satisfiability”, Procedia CIRP, Volume 44, 2016, Pages 204-209, ISSN 2212-8271. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212827116004091) in Conf Proc [PDF] [Online Article]
  17. Phelan, K., Pearce, B., Summers, J., Kurz, M., 2016, "Supporting Vehicle Option Change Management through a Graph Based Visualization Tool", Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, Vol 17, No 1, 011004-011004-15. [PDF] [Online Article]
  18. Phelan, K., Wilson, C., Summers, J., Kurz, M., (2015), "Graph Visualization Styles for Use in Configuration Management: A User Study", International Design Engineering Conferences and Computers in Engineering Conference (ASME IDETC/CIE), Boston, MA, Aug. 1-5, DETC2015-46288.
  19. Alghazi, Anas (presenter), M. Kurz, “The Balancing and Scheduling of Mixed Model Assembly Lines with Realistic Constraints”, 2014 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC2015), Nashville TN, May 30-June 2, 2015
  20. Phelan, K., Wilson, C., Summers, J., Kurz, M., (2014), "A Case Study of Configuration Management Methods in a Major Automotive OEM", International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, Buffalo, NY, DETC2014-34186.
  21. Antani, K., Pearce, B., Mears, L., Renu, R., Kurz, E., Schulte, J. (2014), "Application of System Learning to Precedence Graph Generation for Assembly Line Balancing," Proceedings of 2014 ASME International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (MSEC2014), Paper No. MSEC2014-3906, Detroit, MI, USA, June 9-13, 2014. Accepted. (3 rd Place Best Paper)
  22. Pearce, B. Kurz, M. Antani, K., Mears, L. (2014), "Finding Maximum Subsets of Relational Objects using SAT Decomposition" Proceedings of Institution of Industrial Engineers Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada, May 31-June 4, 2014, Paper No. 1987. Accepted.
  23. Alghazi, Anas (presenter), M. Kurz, “Formulating a Realistic Mixed Model Assembly Line Balancing Problem”, INFORMS 2014, San Francisco.
  24. Pearce, B. (presenter), M. Kurz, L. Mears, K. Antani, “Options-Mix Demand Specification for Robust Assembly Line Rebalancing”, INFORMS 2014, San Francisco.
  25. Wilson, C.L. (presenter), Kurz, M.E., Summers, J.D., Phelan, K.T., “Using Ontologies To Aid In Configuration Management in The Automotive Industry,” 2013 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC2014), Montreal CA, May 31-June 3, 2014.
  26. Antani, K., Pearce, B., Kurz, E., Mears, L., Funk, K., Mayorga, M. (2013), "Manual Precedence Mapping and Application of a Novel Precedence Relationship Learning Technique to Real-World Automotive Assembly Line Balancing," Proceedings of 2013 ASME International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (MSEC2013), Paper No. MSEC2013-1235, Madison, WI, USA, June 10-14, 2013.
  27. Pearce, B., M. Kurz, “A Constructive Heuristic for the Multi-zone Assembly Line Balancing with Physical Constraints”, INFORMS 2013, Minneapolis, MN.
  28. Pearce, B., Kurz, M., Mears, L., Antani, K., “Multi-Zone Assembly Line Balancing with Line-Side Storage Constraints,” 2013 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC2013), San Juan, PR, May 18-22, 2013.
  29. Antani, K., Madadi, A., Kurz, E., Mears, L., Mayorga, M., Funk, K. (2012), “Robust Work Planning And Development Of A Decision Support System For Work Distribution On A Mixed-Model Automotive Assembly Line,” Proceedings of 2012 ASME International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (MSEC2012), Paper No. MSEC2012-7350, Notre Dame, IN, June 10-13, 2012.
  30. Pearce, B.W. (presenter), K. Antani, K. Funk, M.E. Kurz, A. Madadi, M. Mayorga, L. Mears, “Exploring the Efficient Frontier of the Multi-objective General Assembly Line Balancing Problem”, INFORMS 2012 Conference, Phoenix AZ.
  31. Alghazi, A. and Kurz, M.E., “Mixed model sequencing problem with skip policy and station interaction”, in revision for Journal of Manufacturing Systems
  32. Thashika Rupasinghe (presenter), Mary E. Kurz “Scheduling Flexible Flow Lines using Artificial Immune Algorithms” October 14, 2008. INFORMS 2008 Conference, Washington DC.
  33. Mayorga, Maria, M.E. Kurz,. and M. McElreath. “Optimal Attributes of Mixed Quality Assortments.” Industrial Engineering Research Conference Proceedings 2008, Vancouver Canada (CD-ROM).
  34. Watkins, Barbara and Mary E Kurz. “An Application of Factory Physics Tools in a Complex Manufacturing Environment.” Industrial Engineering Research Conference Proceedings 2004, Houston TX (CD-ROM – Extended Abstract).
  35. Kurz, Mary Beth. “Allocating Kanbans in a Re-entrant Line.” Industrial Engineering Research Conference Proceedings 1999, Phoenix AZ.