Multi-stage order sequencing model and application of revised ACO algorithm in JIT manufacturing environment

Ant colony algorithm (ACA) is an intelligent optimization algorithm based on the behavior of ants seeking a shortest path between their colony and a source of food guided by their pheromone trails. Preliminary study indicates that it has superiority in solving complicated optimization problems. Order sequencing problem is a typical combinatorial optimization problem. This paper presents a model of order sequencing on multi-stage processing in JIT manufacturing environment and employs ACA to find the optimal solution for this model with detail algorithm steps. Testing the algorithm on experimental data, the paper validates its effectiveness on finding optimal solutions and its computational efficient as well. ©2009 IEEE.