Adapting ant colony optimization to a real machine layout problem

Machine layout problems describe the arrangement of machines with fixed geometries to minimize material handling costs. Previous work has applied an ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm to machine layout problems and found ACO to be superior to an existing technique. This study adapts the ACO layout algorithm to a more complex machine layout problem originating from industry. The problem is particularly difficult because of additional geometric and technical constraints. Computational experiments determine good values for some of the control parameters and compares variations of the algorithm