A cost based evaluation of a zones formation algorithm in tandem AGV systems

In tandem AGV systems, the shop floor is partitioned into a group of non-overlapping zones, where each is served by a single dedicated vehicle. In this paper, a two phase algorithm for partitioning tandem AGV systems is proposed. The proposed algorithm serves a number of objectives including minimizing the total handling cost, minimizing the maximum workload in the system and minimizing the number of between-zones trips. The algorithm is equipped with parameters to enable the user to select one of these objectives or to optimize a combination of them. The performance of the algorithm regarding the objective of minimizing the material handling cost is evaluated by experimental design. The experiment is based on comparing the solutions obtained by the proposed algorithm with best solutions obtained by a ‘rationalized exhaustive enumeration’ procedure for a group of randomly generated problems. The analytical results showed that the proposed algorithm obtains an average of 99.53% efficiency, and that none of the considered factors has a main significant effect on the performance of the algorithm in regards to the objective of minimizing the total material handling cost, however, a few of the interaction effects are significant.     

Minimizing flow-time variance in a single-machine system using genetic algorithms

A tandem automated guided vehicle (AGV) system deals with grouping workstations into some non-overlapping areas and assigning to each area exactly one AGV. This paper presents a new non-linear integer mathematical model to group n machines into N loops to minimize both inter-loop and intra-loop flow simultaneously based on balanced-loops strategy and inter-machine flows taken from ideas of cellular manufacturing systems. Due to computational difficulties of exact methods in solving the proposed model, a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is proposed. A number of test problems are generated at random and solved by the proposed SA in order to show the efficiency of the algorithm. Finally, the results are reported by both the Lingo software and the proposed SA algorithm.     

Optimal location of workstations in tandem automated-guided vehicle systems

The way workstations are located in a tandem automated-guided vehicle (AGV) systems affect the total lateness of the system. So far, almost all studies have focused on either minimizing the total flow or minimizing the total AGV transitions in each zone. This study presented a novel approach to locate the workstations in a tandem AGV zones by developing a new mixed-integer programming (MIP) formulation. The objective is to minimize total waiting time of all workstations which is equivalent to minimizing the total lateness of each zone. Lateness is defined as the total idle time of a workstation waiting to be supplied by an AGV. The proposed MIP formulation is very competitive and has the capability to solve instances of up to 25 workstations to optimality in a reasonable amount of time.     

基于有约束多目标进化算法的冷轧负荷分配分析

冷轧负荷分配问题可以抽象为一个有约束多目标优化问题。为解决此问题,提出了基于环境Pareto支配选择策略的有约束多目标进化算法。该算法更加客观地评价了两个不同解的优劣,利用优秀不可行解加速算法收敛。以等功率裕量、最小轧制能耗、最小综合打滑函数、末机架板形良好轧制力为优化目标,利用有约束多目标进化算法得到了4个目标函数之间的定量关系,使决策者不需要掌握复杂的轧制理论知识就可以直观地掌握轧制规律,并进一步说明了多目标策略在压下负荷分配中的必要性。     

药品仓库堆垛机与AGV集成调度优化

针对药品仓库药品批次要求严苛、出入库频次较高等原因导致的堆垛机与自动导引小车(AGV)空载率高、效率低等问题,以出入库订单作业总时间最短为目标,建立了适合于药品仓库的堆垛机与AGV集成调度的混合命令序列作业时间模型.针对集成调度模型的组合优化问题,设计了改进的免疫克隆算法,构造改进记忆单元克服了原始免疫克隆算法只记忆单...     

An object-oriented simulation and extension for tandem AGV systems

An object-oriented simulation modelling environment, AgvTalk, is presented to provide flexible modelling capabilities for the simulation of many alternative automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems. The hierarchical features and modularity of AgvTalk create possibilities for the extension and reuse of simulation object components. The detailed behaviour of each object in the AGV system can also be modelled easily and exactly in AgvTalk because there are no limiting modelling constructs. The modelling capabilities of AgvTalk are demonstrated by designing and simulating a conceptually different configuration AGV system, known as the tandem configuration. For the tandem and conventional AGV systems, the characteristics and design methodology in AgvTalk are described. Simulations between the two systems are compared using AgvTalk in a job shop environment.     

A path generation algorithm of an Automatic Guided Vehicle using sensor scanning method

In this paper, a path generation algorithm that uses sensor scannings is described. A scanning algorithm for recognizing the ambient environment of the Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV) that uses the information from the sensor platform is proposed. An algorithm for computing the real path and obstacle length is developed by using a scanning method that controls rotating of the sensors on the platform. The AGV can recognize the given path by adopting this algorithm. As the AGV with two-wheel drive constitute a nonholonomic system, a linearized kinematic model is applied to the AGV motor control, An optimal controller is designed for tracking the reference path which is generated by recognizing the path pattern. Based on experimental results, the proposed algorithm that uses scanning with a sensor platform employing only a small number of sensors and a low cost controller for the AGV is shown to be adequate for path generation.     

On the path layout and operation of an AGV system serving an FMS

A major step in the design of an AGV system involves the choice of its layout. Three different AGV layouts serving the same FMS are compared in this paper: a bidirectional line, a bidirectional loop and a unidirectional loop. Different numbers of vehicles are tried by running an ECSL program written for the AGV/FMS simulation. Various velocities and scheduling policies are used which show that bidirectional layouts are more advantageous than unidirectional ones in general, although the latter have been rendered more competitive by the application of a control algorithm for the avoidance of blockages on the track. Scheduling policies, however, are proved to be a key issue. It is therefore necessary to refer any comparison of layouts to a particular scheduling policy. In addition, it was observed that a compromise between factors measuring AGV-layout performance has to be made when assessing layouts, since these factors often follow opposite trends.     

自动导向小车与加工设备多目标集成调度的聚类遗传算法

针对AGV与加工设备的集成调度问题,在考虑AGV无冲突路径规划的情况下,建立了以最大完工时间、AGV运行时间及机器总负荷为优化目标的调度优化模型,提出一种基于时间窗和Dijk-stra算法的多目标自适应聚类遗传算法.根据算法在不同迭代时期的特点,提出一种包含自适应个体交叉概率的交叉重组策略;设计了自适应种群变异概率;引...     

考虑任务行程时间的多载量自动导引车系统防死锁任务调度

针对多载量自动导引车（AGV）系统的任务调度和缓冲区死锁问题,提出了考虑任务行程时间的防死锁任务调度方案。以最小化延迟率和交通负荷不均衡度为目标,建立了任务调度模型;分析了任务调度中的实际约束,并在任务行程时间约束下构建了预测模型;针对任务调度模型,提出了一种基于人工免疫-灰狼优化（AI-GWO）算法的多目标防死锁任务调度方法,利用死锁避免规则禁止即将引发工位缓冲区死锁的任务运行,并融合AI-GWO算法对任务执行顺序进行多目标优化;最后,根据AGV负载均衡度进行AGV任务分配。仿真结果表明,上述任务行程时间预测模型具有较高的准确率,任务调度模型及防死锁调度方法具有较好的优化性能和计算效率,从而显著提高了物流系统的任务准时率和路径网络的交通负荷均衡度。     

Scheduling optimisation of flexible manufacturing systems using particle swarm optimisation algorithm

The increased use of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) to efficiently provide customers with diversified products has created a significant set of operational challenges. Although extensive research has been conducted on design and operational problems of automated manufacturing systems, many problems remain unsolved. In particular, the scheduling task, the control problem during the operation, is of importance owing to the dynamic nature of the FMS such as flexible parts, tools and automated guided vehicle (AGV) routings. The FMS scheduling problem has been tackled by various traditional optimisation techniques. While these methods can give an optimal solution to small-scale problems, they are often inefficient when applied to larger-scale problems. In this work, different scheduling mechanisms are designed to generate optimum scheduling; these include non-traditional approaches such as genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) algorithm, memetic algorithm (MA) and particle swarm algorithm (PSA) by considering multiple objectives, i.e., minimising the idle time of the machine and minimising the total penalty cost for not meeting the deadline concurrently. The memetic algorithm presented here is essentially a genetic algorithm with an element of simulated annealing. The results of the different optimisation algorithms (memetic algorithm, genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, and particle swarm algorithm) are compared and conclusions are presented .     

基于改进遗传算法的AGV集结路径研究

AGV是自动物流仓储系统中的重要组成部分.针对多台AGV集结问题,在对路径时间窗进行分解的基础上,使用改进遗传算法进行求解,详细描述了算法求解的步骤.该遗传算法加入了基于时间窗的调整策略,能够有效减少冲突以及死锁发生的概率,加快求解的收敛速度,能在规定时间内求解出使集结总时间最短的方案.仿真分析表明:与传统遗传算法以及...     

基于特征的模型多目标优化分割算法

为了减少人为因素对分割结果的影响,提高计算精度和效率,保证分割方案的合理性,提出一种基于特征的模型分割算法,通过特征识别、可加工性分析,分割面获取及分割方案多目标优化4个主要步骤完成模型分割。由于分割过程中需要考虑多个目标函数,故将遗传算法多目标优化应用于分割过程中,通过对分割面和分割顺序的优化获得最优化分割结果,并以具体实例验证了算法的可行性。     

改进自适应遗传算法求解“货到人”拣选系统订单分批问题

“货到人”拣选系统采用自动导引运输车(Automated guided vehicle,AGV)实现自动拣选作业,由AGV搬运货架到拣选站台,再由拣选人员从货架上拣取商品。订单分批作为拣选作业的准备工作,是影响AGV搬运次数和人工拣货次数的关键因素,优化订单分批策略对提高“货到人”拣选系统效率至关重要。在电商智能仓库背景下,综合考虑订单需求多种商品、商品多货架分布存储、订单与货架供需匹配关系未知等实际因素,以人工拣选成本和AGV搬运成本之和最小为目标构建数学模型,并设计改进自适应遗传算法求解。该算法采用启发式策略生成初始种群,引入具有自适应变换概率的交叉和变异算子,并加入局部搜索过程以增强寻优能力。最后通过试验测试验证模型和算法的有效性,证明种群初始化方法的优势,并采用灵敏度分析给出合理的周转箱数量配置建议。研究可为电商企业通过订单分批优化提高拣选效率、降低拣选成本提供实践指导,为“货到人”拣选系统的实际应用提供科学依据。     

柔性作业车间多自动导引小车和机器的集成调度

针对含有AGV的柔性作业车间调度问题,提出基于时间窗和Dijkstra算法的混合遗传算法。建立了AGV/机器的双资源调度数学模型;采用3种解决策略处理多AGV路径规划冲突和碰撞;为了将机器和AGV调度集成考虑,设计了三链式编码结构及AGV编码链的交叉、变异算子,同时在遗传算法的解码操作中将Dijkstra算法与时间窗原理相结合,以精确地为任务小车规划出一条无碰撞无冲突的最短路径;算例对比验证了该算法的可行性、有效性和优越性。     

Object-transportation control of cooperative agv systems based on virtual-passivity decentralized control algorithm

Automatic guided vehicle in the factory has an important role to advance the flexible manufacturing system. In this paper, we propose a novel object-transportation control algorithm of cooperative AGV systems to apply decentralized control to multiple AGV systems. Each AGV system is under nonholonomic constraints and conveys a common object-transportation in a horizontal plain. Moreover it is shown that cooperative robot systems ensure stability and the velocities of augmented systems convergence to a scaled multiple of each desired velocity field for cooperative AGV systems. Finally, the application of proposed virtual passivity-based decentralized control algorithm via system augmentation is applied to trace a circle. Finally, the simulation and experimental results for the object-transportation by two AGV systems illustrates the validity of the proposed virtual-passivity decentralized control algorithm.     

Object oriented modelling and development of a dispatching algorithm for automated guided vehicles

The main problem for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) dispatching system is to assign vehicles to transport demands which optimise some predetermined objectives of a manufacturing shop. This paper presents a framework for an AGV dispatching system based on an object oriented approach using the unified modelling language (UML), and the development of a dispatching algorithm to facilitate a human controller to dispatch efficiently a fleet of AGVs in response to calls from any shop floor (or machine) operator. The main reason for this work is to model an AGV dispatching system as well as to develop a dispatching algorithm which can record details of the AGV position and movement and ensure their allocation of new orders. The provision of both immediate and pre-booked orders for an AGV is also incorporated in the proposed AGVs dispatching system. The underlying AGV dispatching system and algorithm are capable of dispatching a vehicle automatically to handle a call at the required time. In order to overcome difficulties associated with tackling immediate orders, pre-booked orders, and processing of information related to AGVs, a comprehensive dispatching algorithm is developed which aims to minimise lateness, traveling time and distance of empty vehicles in a simulated job-shop scenario. The effectiveness of the proposed framework for an AGV dispatching system is shown through a test problem.     

AGV路径规划与偏差校正研究

针对AGV(Automated Guided Vehicle)行走不平滑的问题,在研究路径对AGV行走性能影响的基础上,建立AGV几何模型,并对其进行运动学分析,结合Bezier曲线的特点和优势,运用改进的粒子群优化(improved Particle Swarm Op-timization,improved PSO)...     

自动导引车骨架结构优化设计

针对目前自动导引车自重系数较大的问题,以等强度、轻量化为研究目标,提出了一种适用于自动导引车骨架结构的优化设计方法。在对车身骨架结构进行力学分析的基础上,利用数学规划得出载荷分配与车轮位置的关系,得到车身骨架拓扑优化问题的约束条件,基于变密度法与优化准则法推导并建立了一种适用于自动导引车骨架结构的多准则优化模型,利用优化软件进行求解。最后,利用有限元软件对建立的优化模型进行仿真分析。仿真结果表明,所提方法用于自动导引车车身骨架优化是可行的。     

基于轨迹控制的AGV运动控制器设计研究

对基于计算机视觉的AGV路径跟踪技术进行了研究,提出了基于轨迹控制的AGV运动控制器设计新方法,重点解决AGV路径跟踪效果与高速运动稳定性问题。首先对AGV工作环境与计算机视觉的特点进行分析,设计了适合AGV路径跟踪的图像处理流程。然后在深入分析两轮差速驱动运动平台的基础上,提出了基于轨迹控制的AGV运动控制器设计新方法。该控制器以AGV相对路径所处的状态量为输入,输出AGV控制指令——两轮的速度差和运动时间,从而控制AGV按指定轨迹运动,实现轨迹控制即AGV路径跟踪的目标。试验结果表明,AGV路径跟踪技术对直线和弧线具有较好的跟踪效果且AGV运动平稳。