Improving production systems of timber-processing plants - IV: Applicationof genetic algorithms for appropriate positioning of processing machines

The development of a layout plan for a new giant with the aid of genetic al gorithms was studied to place the machines so that the plant floor was effe ctively utilized and the operation would not be impeded. Genetic algorithms are search algorithms based on the mechanics of natural evolution and natu ral genetics to solve problems in engineering fields. Simulation with the a id of genetic algorithms was undertaken step by step. The first seven hundr ed strings (chromosomes) were generated at random to organize an initial po pulation. Each string consisted of 40 bits (genes). which represented chara cteristics of machines (x- and p-coordinates and inlet and outlet formation s of materials on machines) in the binary coding. Then the simulation was u ndertaken by repeating selection, crossover, reproduction, and mutation of strings until all strings were saturated with the highest evaluation (fitne ss of chromosomes to environments in the case of creatures). Under some lim itations, an acceptable layout plan of the modeled plant involving four woo d-processing machines was obtained according to evaluation indices.