Optimization of cutting trajectory to improve manufacturing time in computer numerical control machine using ant colony algorithm

Abstract

This article presents a novel method to construct an autonomous, intelligent computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing programming system for the cutting device controller (e.g. a computer numerical control laser cutting machine tool) based on ant colony algorithm. The computer numerical control cutting device should be able to optimize trajectory autonomously between cutting objects. In order to find the best sequence of operations that achieves the shortest trajectory, ant colony is proposed. The shortest cutting trajectory can be formulated as a special case of traveling salesman problem. The integration of ant colony algorithm and traveling salesman problem can be included in commercial computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing packages to optimize the cutting trajectory.