Selection of assembly lines feeding policies based on parts features and scenario conditions

This paper explores the impact of parts features, i.e. unit size and cost, as well as scenario variables on the total delivery cost of materials to assembly lines workstations, according to different materials feeding processes (kitting, line storage and just-in-time delivery). After building cost models based on parts features explicitation, a sensitivity and parametric analysis is carried out in order to justify the cost-effectiveness of each feeding policy and understand whether economic break-even points exist among available feeding alternatives on the basis of the values assumed by relevant attributes of parts. This allows to map areas where each feeding policy is more convenient and also allows a quick method to choose the best feeding policy for each part on an economic basis.