A Novel Schedule Method for Steelmaking and Continuous Casting Base on Cuckoo Search Algorithm

The production scheduling of steelmaking and continuous casting(SCC) is the key to eliminate waste for steel enterprise, and its accuracy and efficiency is determined by modeling and solving algorithm. In this paper, multi-object optimization model of SCC is established to realize the target of punctual casting, no conflict between equipment for one furnace and maximum operating start time of converter, and a new algorithm based on cuckoo search algorithm(CSA) is proposed to solve it. To minimize solve duration, bird's nest coding that is object to constrain of unique equipment and process sequence is proposed. Industry production data are applied to validate modeling and solving algorithm, showing that proposed algorithm will solve the scheduling model in 7.594 seconds, which meets the requirement that management and scheduling should be solved in 60 seconds with high accuracy. In general, proposed CSA is feasible and effective in solving problems of SCC.