Optimization issues in automated production of printed circuit boards: operations sequencing and feeder configuration problems

In the manufacturing of PCB, the determination of component insertion sequence and the assignment of components to the feeder carriage cells, in a way to minimize the overall time losses due to carrier board and feeder carriage movements and component leg spread adjustments are important factors directly contributing to the overall productivity of the production system. In the light of the above discussions, a suitable mathematical model, based on the classic travelling salesman problem (TSP) and quadratic assignment problem (QAP), is developed to address the following key decisions in the production of PCBs: 1) what should be the insertion sequence of the electronic components; and 2) how should different components be assigned to the available cells of the feeder. A heuristic solution procedure, which is based on some available solution procedures for the TSP and QAP, is discussed, together with some results obtained on some test problems. An implementation in a major TV set production facility in Istanbul is summarized