Determining the correlation between line balancing and productivity: a proposal for process improvement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36561/ING.30.7Keywords:
Line balancing, Added value activities, Absenteeism, Productivity, Lean manufacturingAbstract
Line balancing (LB) is a key tool in lean manufacturing that optimizes task allocation, reduces downtime, and increases operational efficiency. This study was conducted in a manufacturing company in the industrial sector, evaluating four of its 19 assembly lines (21%) that presented low productivity, high levels of waste, and late deliveries. This study shows the impact of line balancing on process performance and the savings associated with its implementation. Additionally, two objectives are set: first, to identify external factors, such as employee absenteeism, that negatively affect production and quantify their effect on operational performance. Second, manufacturing tools that help mitigate these impacts must be explored, and solution strategies oriented towards continuous improvement must be developed. This study used a quantitative approach to analyze the relationship between the percentage of added value activities and productivity (pieces per man-hour), demonstrating that the correct application of LB can significantly improve system performance. The results offer practical and sustainable solutions for addressing operational variability and increasing production efficiency.
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