The mixed model line balance option considers a MIX, or a set, of models being produced on the same assembly line. Users need to define model specific data when using this option. The following steps should be taken to set up the cell phone assembly example scenario.
Models
1. |
Click on the model editor under the view menu (Figure 1). |
 Figure 1: Access Model Editor from the view menu |
2. |
Provide the model details (ID, Description, and Demand Percentage ), in the Model Sheet (Figure 2). |
 Figure 2: Model details |
3. |
Provide the option details (ID, Description, and Penetration Percentage), in the Options Sheet (Figure 3). |
 Figure 3: Options details |
Resources
1. Click on the Resource Editor under the view menu (Figure 4).
 Figure 4: Access Resource Editor through the view menu |
2. |
Provide resource details: ID, Description, Is Monumental, etc (Figure 5). |
 Figure 5: Resource details |
Note: The resource Fixture02 is a monumental resource.
Stations
1. |
Click on the station editor under the view menu (Figure 6). |
 Figure 6: Access station editor from the view menu |
2. Provide details and resources available at each station (Figure 7).
 Figure 7: Station details |
Note: The monumental resource Fixture02 is at the station ST02.
Tasks
1. |
Click on the task editor under the view menu (Figure 8). |
 Figure 8: Access task editor from the view menu |
2. |
Enter the task details in the Task Sheet next, such as ID, and Description. After this is completed, provide time data for each task. Each task in the cell phone example, contains process time only (Figure 9). |
 Figure 9: Task details |
3. |
Once the tasks times are defined, next map the resources being used by these tasks. Instead of scrolling left and right to view the resources the user can split the task sheet into separate panes (Figure 10). |
 Figure 10: Users can split the task sheet into separate panes |
Note: The resource Fixture02 is mapped to task T06.
4. |
Map the models and options to the tasks next (Figure 11). |
 Figure 11: Mapping models and options to tasks |
1. |
Row 4 and 8 (Figure 11) depict tasks specific to the standard, deluxe, and supreme models. These are tasks specific to the speaker and the camera attachment. At this stage the user can define options if needed (Example: camera could be a 1.5x or a 3x). |
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Precedence Graph
The precedence graph defines a relationship between the activities and displays the order in which the activities are to be done.
1. |
Click on the precedence graph tab at the bottom of the Task Sheet. All activities can be seen here. Notice that there is no precedence relation defined at this stage (Figure 12). |
 Figure 12: Precedence graph undefined |
2. |
Start defining the relationship between the tasks by clicking at the center of the task node and releasing at the next task. For our cell phone example the precedence diagram can be seen in Figure 13 below. |
 Figure 13: Precedence graph defined by user for cell phone example |
A flow diagram (Figure 14) of the precedence diagram reads as follows:
 Figure 14: Flow diagram describing precedence graph |
Now that all of the data has been entered in the Model, Resource, Station, and Task Editors, a line balance can be generated. Reference the line balancing section of this help manual to learn the steps necessary to calculate a line balance (Type I or Type II) for this scenario.