Selection of Optimal Sequence of Cutting Tool Positions on CNC Magazines

Generation of optimal index positions of cutting tools is an important task to reduce the non-machining time of CNC machines and for achievement of optimal process plans. The optimization model for selecting the optimal sequence forms an NP-hard problem, which is too difficult to solve by the conventional algorithms. The present work proposes the application of a newly developed global search technique, called ants-colony algorithm, for the quick identification of optimal index positions of cutting tools to be used on the tool magazines of CNC machines for executing a fixed set of manufacturing operations. Minimization of total indexing time is taken as the objective function.