Patent ID: 6772027
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B23P,B62D,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of configuring a vehicle assembly line through which vehicle bodies of a plurality of different models having undergone painting are transferred, during which components are sequentially installed, inspected, and repaired as necessary, to provide finished vehicles of the different models wherein the different models include a standard model and each require a different number of assembly man-hours for assembly thereof, said method comprising the steps of:grouping said components to be installed based on mounting positions, installing procedures, and functions thereof so as to divide said vehicle assembly line into at least three zones; providing subline areas each for a respective one of the divided at least three zones so as to prepare and supply subassemblies to the corresponding zones, the subassemblies each composed of a group of components of the grouped components; setting a number of standard assembly man-hours for each divided zone based on a number of assembly man-hours of the standard model; performing comparison for each divided zone between said standard assembly man-hours and a number of assembly man-hours of each of the different models to be assembled so as to determine a maximum positive offset in the assembly man-hours of the different models from the standard assembly man-hours; determining whether or not two adjacent zones of the at least three zones have first and second largest maximum positive offsets, respectively, among all of the maximum positive offsets; and adjusting an amount of supply of the subassemblies from at least one of the sublines to the corresponding zone until two adjacent zones of the at least three zones have said first and second largest maximum positive offsets, respectively.