A Hybrid Bat Algorithm for Process Planning Problem

Abstract In CAPP, process planning (PP) involves two simultaneous tasks: operations selection and operations sequencing, which is difficult to be carried out to achieve the satisfied process plan. In this paper, a hybrid bat algorithm (BA) has been employed to solve PP problem. To apply BA in PP problem, a 2 x n matrix is proposed to represent the process plan solution. Some strategies of encoding, decoding, population initializing have been developed to adapt the BA algorithm to qualify to solve PP problem. To avoid local convergence, two local search strategies are incorporated into the standard BA. A modification for the local search of BA is executed to improve the bats’ movement. Two new operators for the different parts of the solution representation have been proposed to diversify the bat population. A simulation experiment has been carried out to verify the validity of the hybrid BA. The interesting results show the hybrid BA can generate the satisfactory solutions.

[1]  Ligang Cai,et al.  An effective hybrid graph and genetic algorithm approach to process planning optimization for prismatic parts , 2012 .

[2]  Y W Guo,et al.  Operation sequencing optimization using a particle swarm optimization approach , 2006 .

[3]  Andrew Y. C. Nee,et al.  A simulated annealing-based optimization algorithm for process planning , 2000 .

[4]  Xun Xu,et al.  Computer-aided process planning – A critical review of recent developments and future trends , 2011, Int. J. Comput. Integr. Manuf..

[5]  Andrew Y. C. Nee,et al.  Optimization of process plans using a constraint-based tabu search approach , 2004 .

[6]  F. T. S. Chan *,et al.  Fuzzy goal-programming model with an artificial immune system (AIS) approach for a machine tool selection and operation allocation problem in a flexible manufacturing system , 2005 .

[7]  Xinyu Shao,et al.  A multi-dimensional tabu search algorithm for the optimization of process planning , 2011 .

[8]  Y. F. Zhang,et al.  A hybrid particle swarm based method for process planning optimisation , 2012 .

[9]  Zhang Wei Bo,et al.  Optimization of process route by Genetic Algorithms , 2006 .

[10]  Andrew Y. C. Nee,et al.  Hybrid genetic algorithm and simulated annealing approach for the optimization of process plans for prismatic parts , 2002 .

[11]  Andrew Y. C. Nee,et al.  Using genetic algorithms in process planning for job shop machining , 1997, IEEE Trans. Evol. Comput..

[12]  Zhonghua Ni,et al.  Application of ant colony optimization algorithm in process planning optimization , 2013, J. Intell. Manuf..