A Case Study of Using Simulation and Soft Computing Techniques for Optimisation of Manufacturing Systems

Many real-world manufacturing problems are too complex to be modelled analytically. In these scenarios simulation-based optimisation is a powerful tool to determine optimal system settings. While traditional optimisation methods have been unable to cope with the complexities of many real-world problems approached by simulation, soft computing techniques have proven to be highly useful. This paper describes how simulation and soft computing techniques have been combined and successfully used to optimise a manufacturing system at Volvo Aero in Trollhättan.