Abstract
Genetic Algorithms (GAs) consist of a set of robust search techniques that can be applied in a variety of problems in the manufacturing area and inventory management. This article details the use of a GA in a business plan simulation software, with the aim of determining the optimal mix of production involving more than one product, considering the market prices and restrictions on production bottlenecks. The simulator contains data on the structure of raw material and production flow, providing a dynamic calculation of operating income and profitability. Several scenarios are dealt, with the AG tending to find optimal solutions maximizing the net profit, taking into account production constraints, in some cases, through the use of objective function with a penalty factor.
Keywords:
Genetic algorithms; Heuristic solutions; Manufacturing planning; Systems simulation