The layout problem: Investigation and aggregation of artificial intelligence and optimization techniques

Various solution techniques and solution procedures for the facility layout problem are reviewed and compared on a basis of general characteristics, inputs, limitations and type of output. A computer system working in a tandem mode, combining artificial intelligence tool, with an improvement algorithm for solving cellular layout problems is presented. The system handles the qualitative and the quantitative aspects via a knowledge-based system and an improvement Simulated Annealing (SA) global optimization algorithm. The problem solving strategy is illustrated with a set of reasonable number of numerical examples under different boundary conditions.