Determination of Number of AGVs in Multi-path Systems By Using Genetic Algorithm

GA를 이용한 다중루프 시스템의 AGV 대수 결정 문제

In this paper, a determination method of number of AGVs fer introducing to the multi-path material handling systems is presented by using genetic algorithm. For serving the raw material to each work stations automatically, there needs to introduce a AGVs for transfer the raw martial. To reduce the overall production cost in the material handling systems, however, a trade off exists between the amount of inventory hold on the shop floor and the number of AGVs needed to provide adequate service. In this paper, firstly a objective function which included the net present fixed costs of each stations and each purchased AGVs, delivering cost. stock inventory cost, and safety stock inventory cost is presented. Secondly by using genetic algorithm, the optimal reorder quantity at each stations is decided, where the number of AGVs is increased step by step. From a simulation with different GA parameters, we can determine a optimal number of AGVs to reduce the overall production cost. Thus, the effectiveness of GA for determining the number of AGVs is verified in automated material handling systems.