A sequential manufacturing process where parts are added to a semi-finished assembly as it moves from workstation to workstation. The movement is usually paced by a conveyor system or automated guided vehicles. This arrangement breaks complex builds into repetitive, standardized tasks to maximize throughput and minimize worker movement.
Heard on the job
We need to rebalance the assembly line because station four is holding up the whole floor.
Do not mix it up with
- Production line: A production line can involve purely chemical or physical processing, whereas an assembly line specifically involves putting discrete parts together.
Related terms
Production line
A sequential arrangement of machines and workstations used to assemble or process goods.
Bottleneck
The slowest or most restrictive step in a production process that dictates the maximum overall output rate.
Takt time
The maximum allowable time to produce one unit in order to meet customer demand.