Constraint Reordering for Multi-Objective Configuration Design
Abstract Configuration design is the process of placing components, without altering their shape or connectivity, into an available space, while satisfying various spatial constraints, such as no component overlap. Minimizing the volume occupied by the components and or maximizing the accessibility of the components are just two examples of the many objectives that can drive a configuration design problem. For complex configuration designs, there can be many objectives, which can impose spatial constraints among the components and increase the design complexity, cycle cost, and time. An iterative procedure becomes necessary to reconcile these spatial constraints. To reach solutions that are optimal, these constraints must be reordered else combinatorial methods such as Genetic Algorithms that are used for such problems do not converge. Successful reordering can make complex configuration design problems easier to solve by minimizing the iterations necessary to reach an acceptable solution. Minimizing iterations translates into faster convergence and thus savings on time and money. This paper presents a methodology that can manage the propagation of spatial constraints in complex configuration design problems. Representative examples are shown and results and conclusions are drawn.