Abstract
This paper presents a method to analyze the operational ratio of the general structure of assembly lines which assembly stations are arranged in various ways for series, branches and parallels. Generaly, the operational ratio in an assembly line is affected by troubles in the assembly station itself and by the interruption of near-by stations. An analytical method for analizing the operational ratio of a line where assembly stations are aligned in series, branched and parrallel has been presented by previous papers with considerings for troubles of stations and the interrruption of near-by stations. The method for compound lines is based upon each method for the composition. Namely, a compound line is divided into a suitable part of series, branches or parallels. In the each part, the stoppage ratio is analized by the previous method and the each part is regarded as an imaginary station with the given stoppage ratio. Finally, the compound line is recomposed by imaginary stations in series and the operational ratio is calculated by the method for series. The feasibility of this method will be clarified by comparing analyzed and simulated results for some examples.
