Skip to main content
Log in

Genetic algorithm attributes for component selection

  • Published:
Research in Engineering Design Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper uses a genetic algorithm for component selection given a user-defined system layout, a database of components, and a defined set of design specifications. A genetic algorithm is a search method based on the principles of natural selection. An introduction to genetic algorithms is presented, and genetic algorithm attributes that are useful for component selection are explored. A comparison of these attributes is performed using two industrial design problems. A set of genetic algorithm attributes including integer coding, uniform crossover, anti-incest mating, variable mating and mutation rates, retention of population members from generation to generation, and an attention shifted penalty function are suggested for a more efficient search in component selection problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pahl, G. and Beitz W.,Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach, Springer, New York, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Vogwell, J., “Computer-aided Component Selection: A New and Expanding Research Activity”,Computer Aided Design, vol. 22, no. 5, 1990, pp. 308–10.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bradley, S. R. and Agogino, A. M., “An Intelligent Real Time Design Methodology for Component Selection: An Approach to Managing Uncertainty”,Journal of Mechanical Design, vol. 116, no. 6, December 1994, pp. 980–8.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ward, A. and Seering, W., “The Performance of a Mechanical Design Compiler”,1990 Proceedings of the ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference, 1990, pp. 192–197. ASME, New York, ed. G. L. Kinzel, S. M. Rohde, Aug. 5–9, Boston, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ward, A. and Seering, W., “An Approach to Computational Aids for Mechanical Design”,Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, vol. 2, 1987, pp. 591–8. ASME, New York, ed. W. E. Eder, Aug. 17–20, Boston, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kota, S. and Lee, C., “A General Framework for Configuration Design and Evaluation of Systems: Parts 1 and 2”,Journal of Engineering Design, vol. 4, no. 4, 1994, pp. 277–303.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Waldron, M. B. and Chan, C. W., “Object Oriented System for Component Selection”,1988 Proceedings of the ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference, July 31–Aug. 4, 1988, San Francisco, CA, ASME, New York, American Society of Engineers, New York, 1988, pp. 57–62.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Sinha, D. and McDonald, M., “Automated Design of Optimum Belt Drives”,Advances in Design Automation 1992, pp. 165–9. ed. D. Hoeltzel, Sept. 13–16, Scottsdale, AZ, ASME, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Vadde, S., Allen, J. K. and Mistree, F., “Catalog Design: Design Using Available Assets”,Advances in Design Automation, vol. 1, 1992, pp. 345–54. ed. D. Hoeltzel, Sept. 13–16, Scottsdale, AZ, ASME, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Dolan, W. B., Cummings, P. T. and Le Van, M. D., “Algorithmic Efficiency of Simulated Annealing for Heat Exchanger Network Design”,Computers in Chemical Engineering, vol. 14, no. 10, 1990, pp. 1039–50.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Holland, J. H.,Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Brown, Don R. and Hwang, K-Y., “Solving Fixed Configuration Problems With Genetic Search”,Research in Engineering Design, vol. 5, 1993, pp. 80–7.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Goldberg, D. E.,Genetic Algorithms in Search, Optimization and Machine Learning, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Carlson, S. E., Shonkwiler, R. and Ingrim, M., “Comparison of Three Non-Derivative Optimization Methods With a Genetic Algorithm for Component Selection”,Journal of Engineering Design, vol. 5, no. 4, 1994, pp. 367–78.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Antonisse, J., “A New Interpretation of Schema Notation that Overturns the Binary Encoding Constraint”,Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, 1989, pp. 84–91. ed. J. D. Schaffer, Arlington, Va. Morgan Kaufman, San Mateo, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Orvosh, D. and Davis, L., “Shall We Repair? Genetic Algorithms, Combinatorial Optimization and Feasibility Constraints”,Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, 1993, p. 650. Urbana, Il., ed. S. Forrest, July 17–21, 1993. Morgan Kaufman Publishers, San Mateo, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Syswerda, G., “Uniform Crossover in Genetic Algorithms”,Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, 1989, pp. 2–9. ed. J. D. Schaffer, Arlington, Va. Morgan Kaufman, San Mateo, CA.

  18. Eshelman, L. J., Caruana, R. A. and Schaffer, J. D., “Biases in the Crossover Landscape”,Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, 1989. pp. 10–19. ed. J. D. Schaffer, Arlington, Va. Morgan Kaufman, San Mateo, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Maynard Smith, J.,The Theory of Evolution, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Eshelman, L. J., “The CHC Adaptive Search Algorithm: How to Have Safe Search When Engaging in Non-traditional Genetic Recombinations”,Foundations of Genetic Algorithms, 1991, pp. 265–83. Morgan Kaufman Publishers, San Mateo, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Davis, L.,Handbook of Genetic Algorithms, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Michalewicz, Z. and Janikow, C. Z., “Handling Constraints in Genetic Algorithms”,Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, 1991, pp. 151–7. ed. Rick Belew and Lashon Booker, Morgan Kaufman Publishers, San Mateo, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Richardson, J., Palmer, M., Liepins, G. and Hilliard, M., “Some Guidelines for Genetic Algorithms and Penalty Functions”,Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, 1989, pp. 191–7. ed. J. D. Schaffer, Arlington, Va. Morgan Kaufman, San Mateo, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Carlson, S., Shonkwiler, R. and Ingrim, M., “Component Selection Using Genetic Algorithms”,Advances in Design Automation 1993 Proceedings, De-vol. 65–1, pp. 471–6.

  25. Reeves, C., “Using Genetic Algorithms with Small Populations”,Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, 1993, pp. 92–9. Urbana, Il., ed. S. Forrest, July 17–21, 1993. Morgan Kaufman Publishers, San Mateo, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Thorpe, J.,Mechanical System Components, Allyn & Bacon, Boston, 1989, p. 184.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Carlson, Susan E.,Component Selection Optimization Using Genetic Algorithms, Doctoral Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, August 1993.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan E. Carlson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carlson, S.E. Genetic algorithm attributes for component selection. Research in Engineering Design 8, 33–51 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01616555

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01616555

Keywords

Navigation