Title: Metaheuristic algorithms for optimisation of infrared heating in thermoforming process

Authors: F. Erchiqui, N. Nahas, M. Nourelfath, M. Souli

Addresses: Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue, 445, boul. de l'Universite, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, J9X 5E4, Canada. ' Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue, 445, boul. de l'Universite, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, J9X 5E4, Canada. ' Departement de Genie Mecanique, Universite Laval, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Quebec, J1K 7P4, Canada. ' Laboratoire de Mecanique, Universite Lille 1, Boulevard Paul Langevin, Cite Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France

Abstract: Thanks to the low cost and good formability of thermoplastic materials, thermoforming process is widely used in plastic processing. However, some problems remain to be solved, notably the non-uniform thickness distribution caused by uneven energy distribution in the plastic sheet during infrared heating. To overcome this problem, the energy intercepted and absorbed by the plastic sheet must be carefully optimised. In this study, two metaheuristic approaches [simulated annealing (SA) and genetic algorithms (GAs) ] are used and compared for optimising the energy intercepted by the material sheet. Optimisation results obtained for three examples (solution quality, computing time, and convergence) were analysed.

Keywords: metaheuristics; simulated annealing; optimisation; infrared heating; thermoforming; genetic algorithms; GAs; thermoplastics; plastics processing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMHEUR.2011.041194

International Journal of Metaheuristics, 2011 Vol.1 No.3, pp.199 - 221

Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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