An MILP model and a hybrid evolutionary algorithm for integrated operation optimisation of multi-head surface mounting machines in PCB assembly Jiaxiang Luo Jiyin Liu Yueming Hu 2134/22462 https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/An_MILP_model_and_a_hybrid_evolutionary_algorithm_for_integrated_operation_optimisation_of_multi-head_surface_mounting_machines_in_PCB_assembly/9503375 This paper focuses on an operation optimisation problem for a class of multi-head surface mounting machines in printed circuit board assembly lines. The problem involves five interrelated sub-problems: assigning nozzle types as well as components to heads, assigning feeders to slots and determining component pickup and placement sequences. According to the depth of making decisions, the sub-problems are first classified into two layers. Based on the classification, a two-stage mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) is developed to describe it and a two-stage problem-solving frame with a hybrid evolutionary algorithm (HEA) is proposed. In the first stage, a constructive heuristic is developed to determine the set of nozzle types assigned to each head and the total number of assembly cycles; in the second stage, constructive heuristics, an evolutionary algorithm with two evolutionary operators and a tabu search (TS) with multiple neighbourhoods are combined to solve all the sub-problems simultaneously, where the results obtained in the first stage are taken as constraints. Computational experiments show that the HEA can obtain good near-optimal solutions for small size instances when compared with an optimal solver, Cplex, and can provide better results when compared with a TS and an EA for actual instances. 2016-09-15 15:03:44 Operation optimisation Production modelling Evolutionary algorithms Combinatorial optimisation PCB assembly Business and Management not elsewhere classified