Dual Robot Kit Preparation in Batch Preparation of Component Kits for Mixed Model Assembly

Abstract

Kitting is a materials supply principle that plays a vital role for performance in mixed model assembly systems. The kit preparation process, whereby component kits are created, is central when kitting is applied. Kit preparation is a form of materials handling and is associated with several ergonomic and quality related issues. Robotics holds a great potential for decreasing the need for human labour, but literature on the topic is scarce. The purpose of this paper is to identify the time efficiency potential of a dual robot application for kit preparation. To address the purpose, a mathematical model is developed that allows dual robot kit preparation to be analysed and compared with manual kit preparation. Furthermore, the model supports identification of a suitable batch size given a lead time requirement from the assembly system. A numerical example shows dual robot kit preparation to be slightly more efficient than its manual ditto for preparation of 2, 3 and 4 kit batch sizes. The paper makes a theoretical contribution in terms of the time efficiency model of dual robot kit preparation. This model is also useful for practitioners when evaluating the potential of dual robot arm kit preparation in their own processes.