A green assembly sequence planning model with a closed-loop assembly and disassembly sequence planning using a particle swarm optimization method

Abstract

In a green product life cycle, it is necessary to determine how to disassemble a product before the product is planned to be assembled. In this research, a green assembly sequence planning model is developed. A closed-loop assembly sequence planning model is presented by integrating assembly and disassembly sequence planning models. For an assembled product, an assembly sequence planning model is required for assembling the product at the start, while a disassembly sequence planning model is performed for disassembling the product at the end. In typical assembly and disassembly sequence planning approaches, the two sequences are independently planned and evaluated. In this paper, a closed-loop model is presented to concurrently generate and evaluate the assembly and disassembly sequences. First, a graph-based model is presented for representing the feasible assembly sequences and disassembly sequences. Next, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) method with a new encoding scheme is presented. In the PSO method, the assembly and disassembly sequences can be simultaneously represented and evaluated with an objective of minimizing the total of assembly costs and disassembly costs. The test results show that the presented method is feasible and efficient for solving the integrated assembly and disassembly sequence planning problem. An example product is illustrated and discussed.