Multi-objective layout optimization of industrial environment

An optimal layout configuration has considerable impacts on industrial engineering. The conventional layout problem aims to find the optimal arrangement of components inside the container while satisfying no component overlap and no container protrusion constraints. In this paper, we address accessibility requirements in layout problems. The novel layout model consists of components with solid and virtual parts. On the one hand, virtual spaces associated with solid components represents the accessibility of component. On the other hand, characterizing accessibility as a constraint ensures components are accessible from the container's entry. The industrial layout involves various objectives and is usually formulated as a multi-objective problem. Hence, a novel multi-objective layout optimization using constructive placement and simulated annealing, named constructive optimization, is developed. A complete layout is generated by constructive placement and evaluated by simulated annealing. It only explores the feasible space and greatly reduces the computational effort. The experimental results prove that the constructive optimization method is effective in solving the problem of industrial layout.