Collaborative optimization of robotic disassembly sequence planning and robotic disassembly line balancing problem using improved discrete Bees algorithm in remanufacturing✰

Abstract

Abstract Remanufacturing helps to reduce manufacturing cost and environmental pollution by reusing end-of-life products. Disassembly is an inevitable process of remanufacturing and it is always finished by manual labor which is high cost and low efficiency while robotic disassembly helps to cover these shortages. Before the execution of disassembly, well-designed disassembly sequence and disassembly line balancing solution help to improve disassembly efficiency. However, most of the research used for disassembly sequence planning and disassembly line balancing problem is only applicable to manual disassembly. Also, disassembly sequence planning and disassembly line balancing problem are separately studied. In this paper, an improved discrete Bees algorithm is developed to solve the collaborative optimization of robotic disassembly sequence planning and robotic disassembly line balancing problem. Robotic workstation assignment method is used to generate robotic disassembly line solutions based on feasible disassembly solutions obtained by the space interference matrices. Optimization objectives of the collaborative optimization problem are described, and the analytic network process is used to assign suitable weights to different indicators. With the help of variable neighborhood search, an improved discrete Bees algorithm is developed to find the optimal solution. Finally, based on a gear pump and a camera, case studies are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results under different cycle time of robotic disassembly line are analyzed. Under the best cycle time, the performance of the improved discrete Bees algorithm under different populations and iterations are analyzed and compared with the other three optimization algorithms. The results under different assessment methods and scenarios are also analyzed.