This paper analyses in details the balancing and rebalancing problem of assembly lines operated by self-managed work groups. It proposes an optimizing integer programming model that is treated computationally with success by means of the modeling language GAMS (General Algebraic Modeling System) and solver ZOOM. We have not found other works that have presented a heuristic or exact mathematical model for such a problem. For estimating the future line efficiency, one of the parameters that the model requires, we propose the use of two methods used in other areas (learning curve and demand forecasting). Differences between balancing and rebalancing problems are shown and also a complementary bibliographical review about line balancing is accomplished. It complements the last review of exact methods dated on 1986 and the last review of heuristic methods dated on 1998.
assembly lines; line balancing; line rebalancing; integer programming; line efficiency
