Design and optimization of key control characteristics based on improved fruit fly optimization algorithm

Purpose - The key control characteristics (KCCs) are very important to control dimensional quality of the final product. The purpose of this paper is to propose optimization algorithm and rules of design KCCs by optimizing KCCs of 2D and 3D workpieces based on equations and candidate locating points. Design/methodology/approach - This paper analyzes optimization process of 2D and 3D rectangle workpieces based on equations and candidate locating points by using fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA). For decreasing variables of the algorithm, the improved fruit fly optimization algorithm (IFOA) is presented. Moreover, the Euclidean norm of inverse Jacobian is used as the objective function of optimizing KCCs by comparing different objective functions. Finally, a case of side frame assembly is presented to illustrate design and optimization of KCCs through IFOA, and results show that the method proposed in this paper is efficient and precise. Findings - The paper provides some reasonable conclusions for the design and optimization of KCCs. Originality/value - This paper designs and optimizes KCCs of fixtures and parts to improve dimensional quality of the final product.