PCB drill path optimization by combinatorial cuckoo search algorithm.
Optimization of drill path can lead to significant reduction in machining time which directly improves productivity of manufacturing systems. In a batch production of a large number of items to be drilled such as printed circuit boards (PCB), the travel time of the drilling device is a significant portion of the overall manufacturing process. To increase PCB manufacturing productivity and to reduce production costs, a good option is to minimize the drill path route using an optimization algorithm. This paper reports a combinatorial cuckoo search algorithm for solving drill path optimization problem. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested and verified with three case studies from the literature. The computational experience conducted in this research indicates that the proposed algorithm is capable of efficiently finding the optimal path for PCB holes drilling process.
Advanced Engineering Platform and School of Engineering, Monash University Sunway Campus, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
Wei Chen Esmonde
WC
Lim
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai 625015, India.
G
G
Kanagaraj
Advanced Engineering Platform and School of Engineering, Monash University Sunway Campus, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
S G
SG
Ponnambalam
D000465:Algorithms; D017076:Computer-Aided Design / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods*