CAD Based Electric Transporter Path Planning and Production Storage Optimization Using Genetic Algorithm – Industrial Case Study

Abstract

Štore Steel Ltd. is one of the largest flat spring steel producers in Europe. There are two production lines after rolling – one for flat bars and the other for round bars. The flat bars production generally consists of visual examination, straightening and cutting operation. In addition, heat treatment or magnetic particle testing could be conducted. On the other hand, the round bars production consists generally of straightening, automatic control line control, chamfering and cutting. In addition, heat treatment is possible. For manipulation of the material in the rolling plant, the electric transporter and several cassettes are used. In the paper path planning and production storage optimization (i.e. storage spaces for cassettes) were conducted using genetic algorithm. The production storage is actually the space between main transport passage and individual operations. In the research the universal system using CAD geometry is presented where AutoCAD environment and in-house developed AutoLISP system were used. The production storage – storage spaces for cassettes (location and orientation) with corresponding electric transporter trajectories are represented as CAD objects and thus form individual solution/organism. The organisms undergo simulated evolution. The results of the evolution are compared with actual production storage in the steel plant.

Keywords

• genetic algorithm
• optimization
• path planning
• production storage
• steel industry