LinienBalancing

LinienBalancing is the process of distributing tasks across workstations along a production or service line so that workloads are balanced, cycle times are met, and throughput is maximized.

The primary objective is to minimize idle time and bottlenecks while ensuring the required output. The typical outputs include the number of workstations, the assignment of tasks to stations, and the cycle time.

Key concepts include cycle time, takt time, balance loss, and line efficiency. Precedence constraints require some tasks to be performed before others, which is represented by a task network or precedence graph.

Input data typically consists of a list of tasks with processing times, the allowed precedence relations, and the target cycle time derived from demand and available production time.

Common methods include heuristic approaches such as Ranked Positional Weight (RPW), Largest Candidate Rule (LCR), and longest processing time (LPT) rules; mathematical programming with mixed-integer linear programming; and metaheuristics or simulation.

The problem is NP-hard in general, and practical solutions rely on approximations that trade optimality for computational tractability and robustness to time variation and demand changes.

Applications span manufacturing assembly lines, logistics, and certain service processes such as call centers, where repeated routing and standardized tasks are common.

Related topics include the line balancing problem, takt time planning, and line design; advances in software tools and data collection continue to improve practical performance.