Multi-objective optimization of auto-body fixture layout based on an ant colony algorithm

Abstract

Fixtures are extensively used in many industries such as the car industry, to locate and constrain the sheet part during the assembly stage. Fixture layout affects on deformation of sheet parts. Therefore, fixture layout optimization is crucial to the accuracy and quality of products. In addition, the number of clamps that uses in the fixture is another important factor that must be considered in fixture design. This article presents a novel fixture layout optimization method by combining multi-objective ant colony algorithm (M-ACO) and the finite element method. The proposed method optimizes the fixture layout and the number of clamps simultaneously as a multi-objective problem. An approximation of Pareto frontier is acquired by the proposed method. The fixture layout for the side reinforcement of a car is optimized using the proposed method. The results show that the proposed approach performs effectively to optimize the auto-body fixture layout.