Evolutionary optimization of robotic assembly operation sequencing with collision-free paths

Many problems in the lifecycle of product and production development (PPD) can be formulated as optimization problems. But in most of the real-world cases, they are too complex to be solved by analytical models or classical optimization methods. CAx and virtual manufacturing (VM) tools are on the other hand being employed to create virtual representation of products and processes before any physical realization is conducted. Synergy of these two domains is of interest in this paper where planning a process with the minimum cycle-time for assembling a spot welded sheet-metal product is desired. The methodology suggests an extendible virtual manufacturing-based optimization approach using evolutionary algorithms. Accordingly, a novel toolset with integration of evolutionary optimization and a commercial VM environment is developed. More specifically, the latest feature which takes advantage of the collision avoidant segment path planning functionality of the VM tool and integrates it with the sequence optimizer is described.