LP-based Optimization of Conveyance Velocities and Conveyer Belts for a Cascaded Conveyer Belt System

Abstract

In this paper, we deal with an optimization problem of conveyance velocities and conveyer belts of a cascaded conveyer belt system. The aim of this system is to transport products to fit in with periodic motion of lower process of the conveyor line by using the conveyer belts without sensors which can detect the products continuously. Therefore, it is important to move the products without slipping and to determine the number and lengths of conveyer belts that realize the conveyance appropriately. This paper shows that this problem can be formulated as a linear programming problem and that the formulation makes the optimization of the conveyance velocities and the conveyer belts possible. The effectiveness is illustrated by some simulations.