Ant Colony Optimization for Factory Layout

Abstract:

Factory layout is NP problem[1]. There are many methods to solve it ,such as engineering diagram, flow chart method, various heuristic algorithms, SA( simulated annealing) and GA(genetic algorithm) [2].ACO (ant colony optimization) is used to solve it in this paper. The logistics costs exist between two workshops that are treated as pheromone that guides ants to search the best solution. Smaller logistics cost is, stronger the two workshops of relation is. In the process of optimization theworkshop with low logistics cost is more likely to be chosen, which minimizes the system logistics cost. Compared with GA, ACO has the advantage in speed. The mean value of the solution, the best solution, the worst solution is better too. More the number of workshop is, more obvious the superiority is.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 591-593)
• Pages: 758-761
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.591-593.758
• Online since: November 2012
• Authors: Xiu Zeng, Qian Li Ma
• Keywords: ACO, GA, Layout, Logistics Cost

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