Efficient assembly line design is a problem of considerable industrial importance. Unfortunately, like many other design processes, it can be time-consuming and repetitive. In addition to this, assembly line design is often complex owing to the number of multiple components involved: line efficiency, cost, reliability and space for example. The main objective is to integrate the design with operations issues, thereby minimising its costs.

Since it is impossible to replace a designera (TM)s intelligence, experience and creativity, it is important to provide him with a set of assistance tools in order to meet the conflicting objectives involved. Assembly Line Design presents three techniques based on the Grouping Genetic Algorithm (a powerful and broadly applicable optimisation and stochastic search technique) which can be used to aid efficient assembly line design:

a [ a ~equal piles for assembly linesa (TM), a new algorithm introduced to deal with assembly line balancing (balancing stationsa (TM) loads);

a [ a new method based on a multiple objective grouping genetic algorithm (MO-GGA) aiming to deal with resource planning (selection of equipment to carry out assembly tasks);

a ~a [ balance for operationa (TM) (BFO), introduced to deal with the changes during the operation phase of assembly lines.

Assembly Line Design will be of interest to technical personnel working in design, planning and production departments in industry as well as managers in industry who want to learn more about concurrent engineering. This book will also be of value to researchers and postgraduate students in mechanical, manufacturing or micro-engineering.

The competition between airports demands higher-quality services to satisfy passengers. A Baggage Handling System (BHS) serves functions such as baggage sorting, screening, and storage. A successful BHS means bags move between areas as travellers do. Handlers load/unload bags and transfer them between the airport's areas. Automation can save money and bring safety and operational benefits. Warehouses as well as the automotive industry are more advanced technologically in comparison to the airport and especially the baggage handling business. The concept of the Baggage Factory (BF) is an approach (based on Industry 4.0) that simplifies the processes from the moment passengers drop off their bags at check-in till the destination (chutes, carousels, and so forth). Airport Baggage Handling Systems: Using the Baggage Factory Approach to Support AI Optimisation, Decisions, and Design Processes introduces the features of the BF concept and presents how BHS designers can use AI technology to tackle many BHS problems and concerns. The book bridges the gap between airport BHS designers and experts in AI and optimisation. It describes in detail the field of baggage handling using algorithms for sorting bags or optimising the flow. The way the systems are designed is discussed, and a behind-the-scenes look at the BHS industry and how it affects the daily lives of travellers is presented. International and multidisciplinary in approach, this book is an ideal resource for practitioners, students, and researchers involved in the air transportation industry, Tourism, Systems Engineering, Layout and Design, Artificial Intelligence, Assembly Automation, and Logistics fields.

The competition between airports demands higher-quality services to satisfy passengers. A Baggage Handling System (BHS) serves functions such as baggage sorting, screening, and storage. A successful BHS means bags move between areas as travellers do. Handlers load/unload bags and transfer them between the airport's areas. Automation can save money and bring safety and operational benefits. Warehouses as well as the automotive industry are more advanced technologically in comparison to the airport and especially the baggage handling business. The concept of the Baggage Factory (BF) is an approach (based on Industry 4.0) that simplifies the processes from the moment passengers drop off their bags at check-in till the destination (chutes, carousels, and so forth). Airport Baggage Handling Systems: Using the Baggage Factory Approach to Support AI Optimisation, Decisions, and Design Processes introduces the features of the BF concept and presents how BHS designers can use AI technology to tackle many BHS problems and concerns. The book bridges the gap between airport BHS designers and experts in AI and optimisation. It describes in detail the field of baggage handling using algorithms for sorting bags or optimising the flow. The way the systems are designed is discussed, and a behind-the-scenes look at the BHS industry and how it affects the daily lives of travellers is presented. International and multidisciplinary in approach, this book is an ideal resource for practitioners, students, and researchers involved in the air transportation industry, Tourism, Systems Engineering, Layout and Design, Artificial Intelligence, Assembly Automation, and Logistics fields.

Efficient assembly line design is a problem of considerable industrial importance. Assembly Line Design will be bought by technical personnel working in design, planning and production departments in industry as well as managers in industry who want to learn more about concurrent engineering. This book will also be purchased by researchers and postgraduate students in mechanical, manufacturing or micro-engineering.