A worker assignment for machine cluster in the
manufacturing cell was discussed in this paper. The
objective of this paper is two folds. First, it aims to
demonstrate a calculation of the maximum number of
machines which one worker can optimally operate without
an idle time on the machine. Then, the simulation software
program is utilized to evaluate various proposed
improvement alternatives based on maximum machine
efficiency criteria. In this study one of the hard disk drive
manufacturers in Thailand was explored. Previously, one
worker was assigned to service eight semi-automated
machines in the cluster. The main tasks of the worker were
loading, checking and recording. Due to the fact that
workload of the worker and the machine cycle is not
balanced so the utilization of the worker cannot be
maximized. Therefore, the optimum number of machines
which one worker can ideally service is calculated. It is
found that one worker can optimally serve up to eleven
machines. However, other alternatives are also explored. As
a result, by systematic work elimination, one worker can
service up to fourteen machines per cycle with 96.09%
machine utilization.