Title: An application of particle swarm optimisation with negative knowledge on multi-objective U-shaped assembly line worker allocation problems

Authors: Parames Chutima; Ronnachai Sirovetnukul

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand ' Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170, Thailand

Abstract: Multi-objective U-shaped manually operated assembly line worker allocation problems with symmetrical and rectangular layouts are addressed in this paper. The problems are optimised in a hierarchical manner. The primary objective is to minimise the number of workers and the second objective comprises two conflicting sub-objectives including the deviation of operation times of workers and the walking time which are minimised simultaneously. Mathematical formulation of the problems is presented. Since the problems are classified in the non-deterministic polynomial time hard type, a novel evolutionary algorithm, namely particle swarm optimisation with negative knowledge (PSONK), is proposed as a solution technique. The performance of PSONK is compared with several well-known algorithms, i.e. non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II, memetic algorithm (MA) and discrete particle swarm optimisation. PSONK and MA tend to give indifferent performance but they outperform the others. However, PSONK can reach final solutions much faster than the others, especially MA.

Keywords: multiple objectives; particle swarm optimisation; PSO; negative knowledge; U-shaped assembly lines; worker allocation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2013.053735

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2013 Vol.14 No.2, pp.139 - 174

Published online: 27 Dec 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article