Integrating Multi-Skill Assembly and Logistics Labor Scheduling Optimization

Traditionally, assembly factories distinguish logistic workers from production workers in task allocation and labor scheduling due to their nature of task differences, management complexity, and the consideration of robustness in large-scale operations, though many multi-skilled workers are capable of performing both assembling and material handling tasks. In our target research field of distributed manufacturing, a notable emphasis is placed on minimizing the cost of operations. Yet, to the best of our knowledge, there is a gap to fill within the research field of assembly and logistic worker integration to gain utilization improvement. This research paper attempts to explore the design and impact of assembly and logistics worker integration on labor scheduling and assignment in an assembly factory in distributed manufacturing. Based on a practical case, the study employs a labor scheduling optimization model to examine the effectiveness of two labor allocation strategies in the manufacturing environment.

This study introduces an organizational structure that allows production and logistic tasks to be consumed and solved by the same optimization model. A comparison to examine the outcomes can be built and tested based on this organizational structure. In the baseline scenario, logistic tasks are limited exclusively to logistic workers, whereas in the alternative scenario, logistic tasks are allowed to be performed by certain production worker types. The outcome encompasses both the advantages and limitations of integrating production and logistic workers, with the goal of providing practical insights into improving productivity in assembly factories through the augmentation of labor flexibility.