Optimization of Assembly Sequence in the Manufacturing of Centrifugal Pump Through Ant Colony optimization Algorithm

Abstract

The research reported in this paper was carried out to investigate the reducing of the assembly lead time in the production of centrifugal pump through the application of ant colony optimization algorithm. The assembly sequence followed in a company while assembling the components of centrifugal pump was chosen as the reference. By referring to this sequence, seventeen feasible sequences of assembling the components of centrifugal pump were identified. By considering ‘minimum tool changeover’ as the optimality criterion, ant colony optimization algorithm was applied to determine the optimal sequence of assembling the components of centrifugal pump. A comparative study indicated that on adopting this optimal sequence, the productivity of assembling the components of centrifugal pump may increase by 20%. While concluding, it is stated that many other optimality criteria may be chosen in future to obtain improved optimal sequence of assembling the components of centrifugal pump in real time practice.

Keywords-Centrifugal pump; assembly sequence planning; ant colony optimization; pheromone; pheromone intensity; pheromone visibility and python programming.