Bi-criteria assembly line balancing by considering flexible operation times

This paper addresses a novel approach to deal with Flexible task Time Assembly Line Balancing Problem (FTALBP). In this regard, machines are considered in which operation time of each task can be between lower and upper bounds. These machines can compress the processing time of tasks, but this action may lead to higher cost due to cumulative wear, erosion, fatigue and so on. This cost is described in terms of task time via a linear function. Hence, a bi-criteria nonlinear integer programming model is developed which comprises two inconsistent objective functions: minimizing the cycle time and minimizing the machine total costs. In order to sustain these objectives concurrently, this paper applies the LP-metric method to make a combined dimensionless objective. Moreover, a genetic algorithm (GA) is presented to solve this NP-hard problem and design of experiments (DOE) method is hired to tune various parameters of our proposed algorithm. The computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of implemented procedures.     

A two-objective mathematical model without cutting patterns for one-dimensional assortment problems

This paper considers a one-dimensional cutting stock and assortment problem. One of the main difficulties in formulating and solving these kinds of problems is the use of the set of cutting patterns as a parameter set in the mathematical model. Since the total number of cutting patterns to be generated may be very huge, both the generation and the use of such a set lead to computational difficulties in solution process. The purpose of this paper is therefore to develop a mathematical model without the use of cutting patterns as model parameters. We propose a new, two-objective linear integer programming model in the form of simultaneous minimization of two contradicting objectives related to the total trim loss amount and the total number of different lengths of stock rolls to be maintained as inventory, in order to fulfill a given set of cutting orders. The model does not require pre-specification of cutting patterns. We suggest a special heuristic algorithm for solving the presented model. The superiority of both the mathematical model and the solution approach is demonstrated on test problems.     

The use of QP-free algorithm in the limit analysis of slope stability

In many mountainous areas, landslides and slope instabilities frequently occur after heavy rainfall and earthquake, and result in enormous casualties and huge economic losses. In order to mitigate the landslides hazard efficiently, a method is required for a better understanding of stability analysis. Fortunately, upper bound theorem of limit analysis provides a practical and effective upper bound approach to evaluate the stability of slopes. And in this approach, the search for the minimum factor of safety can be formulated as a nonlinear constrained optimization. In general, the SQP-type algorithms are used to solve this optimization problem. However, it is quite time consuming and difficult to search the optimum from an arbitrary starting point based on the SQP-type algorithms. Fortunately, a QP-free algorithm based on penalty function and active-set strategy can be globally convergent toward the KKT points with arbitrary starting point, and the rate of convergence is local superlinear or even quadratic. Two classical problems of slope stability are solved by this QP-free algorithm. The results show that the QP-free algorithm would be the better choice than SQP-type algorithms for solving the nonlinear constrained optimization problem which is derived from the upper bound limit analysis of slope stability.     

Fuzzy goal programming for inventory management: A bacterial foraging approach

An efficient inventory planning approach in today’s global trading regime is necessary not only for increasing the profit margin, but also to maintain system flexibility for achieving higher customer satisfaction. Such an approach should hence be comprised of a prudent inventory policy and clear satisfaction of stakeholder’s goals. Relative significance given to various objectives in a supply chain network varies with product as well as time. In this paper, a model is proposed to fill this void for a single product inventory control of a supply chain consisting of three echelons. A generic modification proposed to the membership functions of the fuzzy goal-programming approach is used to mathematically map the aspiration levels of the decision maker. The bacterial foraging algorithm has been modified with enhancement of the algorithms’ capability to map integer solution spaces and utilised to solve resulting fuzzy multi-objective function. An illustrative example comprehensively covers various decision scenarios and highlights the underlying managerial insights.     

Single row facility layout problem using a permutation-based genetic algorithm

In this paper, a permutation-based genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to the NP-hard problem of arranging a number of facilities on a line with minimum cost, known as the single row facility layout problem (SRFLP). The GA individuals are obtained by using some rule-based as well as random permutations of the facilities, which are then improved towards the optimum by means of specially designed crossover and mutation operators. Such schemes led the GA to handle the SRFLP as an unconstrained optimization problem. In the computational experiments carried out with large-size instances of sizes from 60 to 80, available in the literature, the proposed GA improved several previously known best solutions.     

三种生成神经网络拓扑结构的方法在股票、商品价格预测中的应用及结果比较

对比了三种不同神经网络模型的生成方式:传统神经网络生成模型,遗传算法训练神经网络模型,以及在第二种方式训练参数的基础上,再使用传统神经网络优化生成模型.论文使用上述三种方法对代表性股票和商品价格进行拟合并预测,通过预测结果准确性和稳定性的比较发现:引入遗传算法后的神经网络在样本内的拟合误差有所降低,而第三种方法在样本外有最低的预测误差和最优稳定性.     

有限个平衡问题与非扩张映象不动点问题的复合迭代方法

在Hilbert空间中引进并研究一种新的复合粘性迭代算法,借以寻求有限个平衡问题的公共解集与非扩张映象不动点集的一个公共元素.所得结果改进并推广了最近一些人的最新结果.     

反Banach空间内涉及广义混合似臣分不等式问题的双水平广义混合平衡问题

在自反Banach空间内,引入和研究了一类新的涉及广义混合似变分不等式问题的双水平广义混合平衡问题(BGMEP).首先,为了计算BGMEP的近似解,引入了一类辅助广义混合平衡问题(AGMEP).由使用一极小极大不等式,在没有任何强制条件的相当温和假设下,证明了AGMEP解的存在性和唯一性.利用辅助原理技巧,建议和分析了一类计算BGMEP的近似解的新迭代算法.在没有任何强制条件的相当温和假设下,证明了由算法生成的迭代序列的强收敛性.这些结果是新的并且推广了这一领域内某些最近结果.     

具有离散性的连续性模型映射

为了实现在连续性空间中的离散分段问题,采用解决离散性问题的方法虚拟构造连续性集合,将连续性问题映射为分段的离散问题,根据集合中元素的离散特性实现连续性模型的分段求解.通过数据结构的设计与压缩路径的算法证实,模型的映射能够解决实际问题的分段求解.     

会议选址问题的优化模型

国内某公司在各省会城市都设有分支机构,公司每年都有频繁的会议和培训工作需要各地分支机构派人参加,如何在大陆地区31个省会城市里选择一个城市作为会议地址,使得举办会议的成本最低且中转次数最少.建立了该会议选址问题的双目标优化模型,收集处理了有关实际数据,利用网络最短路算法和约束法等得到了该会议选址问题的解.在不考虑中转费用的情况下,得出成本最低且中转次数最少的会议地址是西安;在考虑中转费用的情况下,根据中转费用的不同给出了可供实际决策的最优会议选址方案.