A Hybrid Differential Evolution Algorithm with Local Search for Optimizing Cycle Time in U-Shaped Assembly Line Balancing Problem Type 2

Krit Chantarasamai; Visit Junchuan; Poontana Sresracoo

doi:10.48084/etasr.13120

Authors

Krit Chantarasamai Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus, Thailand
Visit Junchuan Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus, Thailand
Poontana Sresracoo Department of Industrial Management Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Buriram Rajabhat University, Thailand

Volume: 15 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 29787-29795 | December 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.13120

Received: 2 July 2025 | Revised: 13 August 2025, 22 August 2025, 1 September 2025, 11 September 2025, 30 September 2025, and 5 October 2025 | Accepted: 9 October 2025 | Online: 8 December 2025

Corresponding author: Poontana Sresracoo

Abstract

U-Shaped Assembly Line Balancing Problem Type 2 (UALBP-2) is a key challenge in modern Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing, where the objective is to produce goods quickly while keeping waiting times as short as possible. This study introduces a new problem-solving method called the Hybrid Differential Evolution Algorithm with Local Search (HDE), which combines an existing optimization approach, Differential Evolution (DE), with an additional local search technique to improve results. The method was tested against three common approaches: a mathematical model, a Genetic Algorithm (GA), and rule-based heuristic methods, using well-known test problems from the literature. The results showed that the HDE algorithm often outperformed these other methods: it gave better solutions than the mathematical model in 40% of all instances, better than the GA in 84% of all instances, and better than rule-based heuristic methods in about 40% of medium- and large-scale problems. Overall, the findings indicate that the HDE algorithm is a very effective tool for minimizing production time in U-shaped assembly lines, making it a promising option for industries that rely on JIT manufacturing.

Keywords:

U-Shaped Assembly Line Balancing Problem (UALBP), Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing, Hybrid Differential Evolution Algorithm with Local Search (HDE), optimization algorithms, production efficiency

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