Quantum seeded evolutionary computational technique for constrained optimization in engineering design and manufacturing

In this paper an attempt is made to develop a new Quantum Seeded Hybrid Evolutionary Computational Technique (QSHECT) that is general, flexible and efficient in solving single objective constrained optimization problems. It generates initial parents using quantum seeds. It is here that QSHECT incorporates ideas from the principles of quantum computation and integrates them in the current framework of Real Coded Evolutionary Algorithm (RCEA). It also incorporates Simulated Annealing (SA) in the selection process of Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) for child generation. The proposed algorithm has been tested on standard test problems and engineering design problems taken from the literature. In order to test this algorithm on domain-specific manufacturing problems, Neuro-Fuzzy (NF) modeling of hot extrusion is attempted and the NF model is incorporated as a fitness evaluator inside the QSHECT to form a new variant of this technique, i.e. Quantum Seeded Neuro Fuzzy Hybrid Evolutionary Computational Technique (QSNFHECT) and is effectively applied for process optimization of hot extrusion process. The neuro-fuzzy model (NF) is also compared with statistical regression analysis (RA) model for evaluating the extrusion load. The NF model was found to be much superior. The optimal process parameters obtained by Quantum Seeded Neuro Fuzzy Hybrid Evolutionary Technique (QSNFHECT) are validated by the finite element model. The proposed methodology using QSNFHECT is a step towards meeting the challenges posed in intelligent manufacturing systems and opens new avenues for parameter estimation and optimization and can be easily incorporated in existing manufacturing setup.