An optimal layout methodology for cold forming rectangular parts using genetic algorithms

Cold forming is widely used in manufacturing processing, and the layout of rectangular parts in the strip is manually accomplished, which is a time-consuming task and may be a major bottleneck in effectively improving the utilization ratio of material and the productivity. The mathematical model for optimal layout of cold forming is first developed, and then the constrained optimal layout problem is transformed to an unconstrained optimal one with penalty function strategy. A simple genetic algorithms for this optimal layout is proposed, and an example is examined to show the validity of this proposed genetic methodology. Although the simple genetic algorithms is employed, a higher material utilization ratio and productivity is achieved. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.