An Integrated Approach to Optimal Three

This paper describes the combination of previously-developed component placement and routing algorithms into an integrated computational approach to product layout optimization. Previ ous work introduced simulated annealing-based algorithms for optimal component packing (Szykman and Cagan, 1995), con strained layout (Szykman and Cagan, 1997), and routing (Szyk man and Cagan, 1996). These problems exhibit ill-behaved (multi-modal and discontinuous) objective function spaces, which were optimized with a simulated annealing-based algo rithm (Kirkpatrick et al., 1983). The utility of these algorithms has been demonstrated on a variety of problems, including the layout of electronic switching systems (Szykman, 1995), a cordless power drill (Szykman and Cagan, 1997) and components for a wearable computer (Camp bell et al., 1995), as well as routing of a chemical production plant (Szykman and Cagan, 1996). The broad spectrum of prod uct layout tasks in engineering includes other applications such as layout of HVAC equipment, automobile engine compart ments, mechanical and electromechanical assemblies, and aero space applications. Cagan et al. (1996) showed how the algorithms were used to optimize the component placement and routing of a heat pump product for an industrial partner. That work illustrated how these design tools yield improvements over the standard approach of manual placement and routing by improving design objectives and significantly reducing the design time. The application of the layout and routing optimization tools in that problem was done sequentially, just as manual layout and routing are tradi tionally done. In practice, routing is highly influential in determining the cost of the heat pump (as well as other products in general). We hypothesize that taking routing objectives into consideration during the component placement phase will significantly im prove the quality and cost of the overall layout. This research was initiated with the goal of combining the layout and routing optimization algorithms into a single integrated approach to product layout, whereby the tasks of component placement and routing are performed concurrently rather than sequentially. The integrated approach to product layout is described and ap -