Title: FTL with feed-forward optimal design by discrete event production simulator with GA

Authors: Jaber Abu Qudeiri, Hidehiko Yamamoto, Rizauddin Ramli

Addresses: Philadelphia University, P.O. Box 1, Amman 19392, Jordan. ' Gifu University, Yanagido 1-1, Gifu Shi, Japan. ' The National University of Malaysia (UKM), 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: This article formulates a new optimal design problem of a flexible transfer line with feed-forward lines (FTL-FF). The machine tools and the buffer size are included to find the optimal design of the FTL-FF that achieves a greater production rate of the FTL-FF. Machine tools with different performances are selected from a list of products available in the market. To solve this problem, a discrete event production simulator (DEPS) in conjunction with genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed. The GA methodology is based on a technique that is called multi-group arrangement method (MGAM) which arranges the genes in individuals. Numerical examples ascertained that after a number of operations based on the combination of DEPS and GA, the nearest optimal design of FTL-FF is found.

Keywords: flexible transfer lines; feed-forward lines; FTL-FF; buffers; genetic algorithms; GAs; discrete event simulation; production simulator; DEPS; optimal design; machine tool selection; buffer size.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAIS.2009.022003

International Journal of Adaptive and Innovative Systems, 2009 Vol.1 No.1, pp.60 - 76

Published online: 16 Dec 2008 *

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