A random key-based genetic algorithm for AGV dispatching in FMS. (1st December 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Lin; Gen, Mitsuo
• Is Part Of: International journal of manufacturing technology and management. Volume 16:Number 1/2(2009)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2008-12-01
• Subjects: automated guided vehicles -- AGVs -- flexible manufacturing systems -- FMS -- network models -- random key based genetic algorithms -- RKGA -- AGV dispatching -- materials handling; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Automation -- Periodicals; Production management -- Periodicals; 670.427068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-2148

Abstract

Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) is a mobile robot used highly in industrial applications to move materials from point to point. AGV helps to reduce cost of manufacturing and increases efficiency in a manufacturing system. In this paper, we focus on the dispatching of AGVs in a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). A FMS environment requires a flexible and adaptable material handling system. To overcome the complex system constraints of AGV dispatching in FMS, we model an AGV system by using network structure. We also propose an effective evolutionary approach for solving this problem as a network optimisation problem by Random Key-based Genetic Algorithm (RKGA). The objective is minimising the time required to complete all jobs (i.e. makespan). Numerical experiments for case study show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.