Path Optimization for Welding/Soldering Robots Using an Improved Genetic Algorithm

Welding/soldering automation is one of the most important manufacturing issues in order to lower the cost, increase the quality, and avoid labor problems. An off-line programming, OLP, is one of the powerful methods to solve this kind of diver sity problem, Unless an OLP system is ready for the path optimization in welding/soldering, a waste of time and cost is unavoidable due to an inefficient path in welding/soldering processes. Therefore, this study attempts to obtain path optimization using a genetic algorithm based on artificial intelligences. The problem of the welding path optimization is defined as conventional TSP (traveling salesman problem), but still paths have to go through welding lines. An improved genetic algorithm was suggested and the problem was formulated as a TSP problem considering ...