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VIP-PLANOPT
2006
USERS MANUAL
vvv
ngineering
ptimization
oftware
1386 Pritchett Industrial Drive, Austell, GA 30168, USA
E-mail: support@planopt.com
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Feb 2006
CONTENTS
COPYRIGHT.............................................................................................................................................................................5
DISCLAIMER ...........................................................................................................................................................................6
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................................................7
M OTIVATION................................................................................................................................................................7
FILLING THE GAP .........................................................................................................................................................7
UNMATCHED FUNCTIONALITY ................................................................................................................................8
OPTIMIZATION A LGORITHM ....................................................................................................................................8
TERMINOLOGY................................................................................................................................................................... 10
M ODULE ......................................................................................................................................................................10
M ODULE A SPECT RATIO .........................................................................................................................................11
M ODULE A REA ..........................................................................................................................................................11
M ODULE TYPE ...........................................................................................................................................................11
HARD (RIGID) M ODULE ............................................................................................................................................11
SOFT (FLEXIBLE) M ODULE......................................................................................................................................11
M ODULE POSITION....................................................................................................................................................11
M ODULE PLACEMENT ..............................................................................................................................................12
A NCHORED M ODULE ................................................................................................................................................12
FORBIDDEN A REA M ODULE (FAM).......................................................................................................................12
M ODULE ORIENTATION...........................................................................................................................................12
M ODULE PADDING ....................................................................................................................................................12
PICK-UP & DROP -OFF POINTS..................................................................................................................................13
BOUNDARY SHAPE ....................................................................................................................................................13
ENCLOSURE .................................................................................................................................................................14
FLOW M ATRIX ...........................................................................................................................................................14
UNIT COST M ATRIX..................................................................................................................................................15
COST M ATRIX ............................................................................................................................................................15
DISTANCE NORMS ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
RECTILINEAR NORM .................................................................................................................................................16
EUCLIDEAN NORM .....................................................................................................................................................16
SQUARED EUCLIDEAN NORM ..................................................................................................................................16
COST FUNCTIONS.............................................................................................................................................................. 17
COST FUNCTION F1 ...................................................................................................................................................17
COST FUNCTION F2 ....................................................................................................................................................17
COST FUNCTION F3 ....................................................................................................................................................18
COST FUNCTION F4 ....................................................................................................................................................18
PRIMARY INPUT.................................................................................................................................................................. 19
File Menu ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
Constraints Menu ........................................................................................................................................ 21
Optimization Menu..................................................................................................................................... 21
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Benchmarks menu........................................................................................................................................ 21
Help menu...................................................................................................................................................... 22
DISPLAY CONTROL....................................................................................................................................................23
Current Module ID ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Next................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Previous......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Zoom All......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Grid/Snap Size.............................................................................................................................................. 24
NEW M ODULE ............................................................................................................................................................25
M ODULE TYPE ...........................................................................................................................................................26
RESIZING GRAPHICALLY...........................................................................................................................................27
RESIZING NUMERICALLY..........................................................................................................................................28
M ODULE ORIENTATION...........................................................................................................................................29
M ODULE POSITION....................................................................................................................................................30
M ODULE DELETION..................................................................................................................................................31
OTHER PROPERTIES ..................................................................................................................................................32
COST AND FLOW M ATRICES INPUT .......................................................................................................................33
SOFT M ODULE INPUT ...............................................................................................................................................34
OPTIMIZATION PARAMETERS.................................................................................................................................35
Cost Function ............................................................................................................................................... 35
Optimization Seed........................................................................................................................................ 35
Distance Norm.............................................................................................................................................. 36
OPTIMIZATION CONSTRAINTS................................................................................................................................37
Module Padding .......................................................................................................................................... 37
Boundary Shape........................................................................................................................................... 37
Other Constraints ........................................................................................................................................ 37
OPTIMIZATION CONTROL .......................................................................................................................................38
Optimize......................................................................................................................................................... 38
Analyze Optimized Layout.......................................................................................................................... 38
OTHER INPUT....................................................................................................................................................................... 39
M ODULE DEFAULTS W INDOW ...............................................................................................................................41
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 41
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 41
DISCRETE A SPECT RATIOS W INDOW ....................................................................................................................42
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 42
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 42
M ATRIX INPUT W INDOW ........................................................................................................................................43
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 43
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 43
A NCHORED M ODULES PLACEMENT W INDOW ....................................................................................................46
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 46
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 46
PICK-UP & DROP -OFF POINTS W INDOW ...............................................................................................................48
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 48
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 48
M ODULE PADDING W INDOW ..................................................................................................................................50
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 50
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 50
BOUNDARY SHAPE W INDOW ..................................................................................................................................52
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 52
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 52
OPTIMIZATION CONSTRAINTS W INDOW .............................................................................................................54
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 54
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Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 55
OPTIMAL LAYOUT A NALYSIS W INDOW ...............................................................................................................56
How to Open ................................................................................................................................................. 56
Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 56
BENCHMARKPROBLEMS ................................................................................................................................................ 59
DATA FILES.................................................................................................................................................................59
CHARACTERISTICS.....................................................................................................................................................60
PLANOPT Benchmark 1 (L3) .................................................................................................................... 60
PLANOPT Benchmark 2 (L4B).................................................................................................................. 60
PLANOPT Benchmark 3 (L8) .................................................................................................................... 60
PLANOPT Benchmark 4 (L8FX) ............................................................................................................... 61
PLANOPT Benchmark 5 (L12PD) ............................................................................................................ 61
PLANOPT Benchmark 6 (L20).................................................................................................................. 61
PLANOPT Benchmark 7 (L28).................................................................................................................. 61
PLANOPT Benchmark 8 (L50).................................................................................................................. 62
PLANOPT Benchmark 9 (L75).................................................................................................................. 62
PLANOPT Benchmark 10 ( L100) ............................................................................................................ 62
PLANOPT Benchmark 11 (L125A)........................................................................................................... 62
PLANOPT Benchmark 12 (L125B)........................................................................................................... 63
SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................................................64
Q & A ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Q 1.................................................................................................................................................................................65
Q 2.................................................................................................................................................................................66
Q 3.................................................................................................................................................................................66
Q 4.................................................................................................................................................................................68
Q 5.................................................................................................................................................................................68
Q 6.................................................................................................................................................................................69
Q 7.................................................................................................................................................................................70
Q 8.................................................................................................................................................................................70
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COPYRIGHT
Copyright, 1996-2006, by Engineering Optimization Software.
Worldwide rights of ownership and distribution of the computer
programs PLANOPT,VIP-PLANOPT and VIP-PLANOPT 2006
rest with Engineering Optimization Software, 1386 Pritchett Industrial
Drive, Austell, GA 30168, USA.
Computer programs PLANOPT,VIP-PLANOPT and VIPPLANOPT 2006 and all the associated documentation are
proprietary products. Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction
of the documentation in any form or by any means, without prior
written permission from Engineering Optimization Software is
explicitly prohibited.
Note: All trademarks used in the manual are the property of their respective corporations.
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DISCLAIMER
Considerable expenses, time and effort have gone into the
development of PLANOPT and VIP-PLANOPT computer
programs. In using the program, however, the user accepts and
understands that no warranty is expressed or implied by the
developers or the distributors on the accuracy or the reliability of the
program. The authors and the distributors hereby disclaim any liability
to any party for any loss or damage resulting from the installation or
use of VIP-PLANOPT 2006.
Engineering Optimization Software makes no representations or
warranties with respect to the content hereof and specifically disclaim
any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular
purpose. The user must independently verify the results obtained by
this program.
Engineering Optimization Software also reserves the right to revise this
publication and make changes from time to time in the content hereof
without any obligation of Engineering Optimization Software to notify
any person or organization of such revision or change.
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INTRODUCTION
PLANOPT (floor-PLAN layout OPTimization) represents a general
purpose layout optimization algorithm. VIP-PLANOPT (Visually
Interfaced Package of PLANOPT) is a powerful software package
developed to produce high-quality optimal layouts for small, medium
and large-sized problems involving UNEQUAL-AREA rectangular
blocks or modules. The term Layout Optimization implies the
placement of a given number of such modules at their optimal
locations in the Euclidean plane without any overlaps. It is a
challenging area of research in various fields of engineering. In the field
of industrial engineering the problem is usually referred to as Facility
Layout problem. Several other terms like Plant Layout, Machine
Layout, Floor-plan Layout, etc. refer basically to the same
optimization problem.
Motivation
Facility layout has profound effects on the organizational productivity
and profitability. It is estimated that about 20-50% of operating costs
in manufacturing relates to materials handling, a factor highly correlated
to the quality of the facility layout design. Superior facility layouts
reduce materials handling costs, help streamline all operations, and
reduce energy bills. It is estimated that US businesses spend about a
trillion dollars on new facilities, more than a quarter of it in redesigning the existing ones. Consequently, layout design remains an
important issue for industrial facility planners with significant potential
for research and automation.
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Unmatched Functionality
VIP-PLANOPT has the capability of optimizing the layouts
considering the user-specified pick-up and drop-off points. It also
allows the user to specify any number of modules to be anchored at
fixed locations. VIP-PLANOPT produces optimal layouts keeping
these anchored modules strictly at the user-specified locations. The
user can also specify the shape and the size of the boundary that must
enclose the modules. This makes the program especially useful for
consultants and layout designers interested in optimizing the layout
designs for their projects.
Some of its functionality is based on new concepts like Module
Padding, Forbidden Area Module, No-flow Modules, etc which
will be explained in this manual.
Optimization Algorithm
PLANOPT optimization algorithm is a research product. It is a robust
hybrid proprietary optimization algorithm. It came into existence in
1995 when two University Professors working together in the areas of
VLSI Layout design and Multi-disciplinary Facility Layout
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TERMINOLOGY
Since the terminology used for layout optimization differs in various
applications, an effort has been made to adopt a generalized
terminology that could be applicable to most layout optimization
problems. It is briefly described in the following.
Module
PLANOPT uses the term Module for the rectangular building block
representing a functional unit like departments, machines, rooms, cells
or spaces. Fig.1 shows a module and the notations used.
The dimension of a module along x-axis is referred to as Length and
is denoted by Li. Its dimension along y-axis is referred to as Width
and is denoted by Wi. The subscript i refers to module identification
number (module ID).
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(1)
Module Area
For a module i its area Ai is given by:
Ai = Wi * Li
(2)
Module Type
PLANOPT has two basic types of modules. The user may specify a
module type as Hard Soft.
Module Position
The position or location of a module, specified by the coordinates of
their centroid, may be variable or fixed. A module with variable
position must be specified by the user as Movable. Optimal location
of such modules will be determined by PLANOPT. If the module
position is fixed so it does not move, it must be specified by the user
as Anchored. Anchored modules are strictly kept at their userspecified positions in the optimal layout.
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Module Placement
Placement of module means locating it by specifying its centroid.
Anchored modules are placed by the user. Movable modules are
placed by PLANOPT to minimize the cost in an optimal layout.
Anchored Module
A module whose position (location) is fixed and is not allowed to
change during optimization is called an anchored module.
PLANOPT produces optimal layouts with anchored modules located
strictly at the user-specified position.
Module Orientation
The orientation of module may be fixed or may be allowed to vary so
it may flip by rotating 90 degrees during optimization. PLANOPT
finds the optimal orientation of all May flip orientation modules to
minimize the cost.
Module Padding
Many applications of layout optimization require the modules to be
separated from each other with empty space around them for reasons
related to environment, safety, logistics etc. PLANOPT has introduced
this concept and allows the user to specify padding of empty space
around any number of modules. Module padding implies additional
constraints for optimization. Optimal layouts are always produced with
empty spaces around the modules exactly as specified by the user.
The padding may be same or different on all four sides. Only hard
modules that have fixed dimensions may be padded.
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Boundary Shape
Restricting the layout to be within a boundary of given shape is
required in some applications. PLANOPT allows the user to impose
this constraint. The user may specify any boundary shape. The only
restriction is that the boundary shape is made of orthogonal line
segments. All the user has to do is to point-and-click to specify the
line segments.
Optimizing inside a given boundary shape, however, is one of the most
difficult issues in layout optimization and makes the hard problem even
harder. It the toughest constraint to be imposed and results in
degrading the quality of optimal layouts. The user must understand
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that trying to get an optimal layout in a tight space with little room for
alternative placement of modules will mostly fail or will turn into a binpacking problem rather than layout optimization. Therefore it is
advised that this option be used only when really needed and the
boundary area be specified as big as possible.
Enclosure
The bounding rectangle enclosing all the modules in the optimized
layout is termed as enclosure. Its dimensions along x and y axes are
denoted by LB and WB respectively. Its aspect ratio, given by WB / LB,
is denoted by RB and its area, given by WB LB, is denoted by AB.
Flow Matrix
The flow matrix gives the flow of material, equipment or personnel
between all pairs of modules. An element of this matrix, denoted by fij,
is the flow between any two modules i and j. It is expressed in number
of unit loads moved per unit time between the two modules. A unit
load is defined as the unit to be moved or handled at one time. In
some cases, the unit load is one item of production; in other situations
the unit load is several cartons, each containing numerous items of
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Cost Matrix
An element of this matrix, denoted by ij, represents the total cost of
flow per unit distance between any two modules i and j. In other
words ij = fij * uij. PLANOPT allows the cost matrix to be either
symmetric or non-symmetric. PLANOPT gives the user the option of
specifying either directly the values of ij or instead the values of fij
and uij separately.
In effect, the cost matrix implies the same as the activity relationship
matrix based on the closeness ratings as given in the activity
relationship charts.
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DISTANCE
NORMS
PLANOPT has the option of the following three norms for the
distance dij between the centroids of any two modules i and j:
Rectilinear Norm
It is also called Manhattan distance norm. The distance dij between
two points using this norm is the sum of rectilinear distances along x
and y axes.
dij = | x x | + | y y |
(3)
Euclidean Norm
The distance dij between two points, using this norm, is the shortest
distance made by a straight line drawn between the two points.
dij =
(( xi x j )2 + ( yi y j ) 2 )1/2
(4)
( xi x j )2 + ( yi y j ) 2
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COST
FUNCTIONS
Layout optimization requires minimization of an objective function
usually referred to as cost or cost function. Its definition may vary
from one application to another. Since PLANOPT is a general
purpose layout optimization program, a cost function definition has
been adopted that suits most of the applications. Options for
symmetric as well as non-symmetric flow matrices and composite cost
functions have been provided. The cost function definition for a
problem of n modules has four different forms as given below.
Cost Function F1
The cost function F1 has the following form:
n1
F1 =
f ij uij dij
i =1 j=i +1
or,
n1
(6-a)
ij dij
F1 =
(6-b)
i =1 j =i +1
Cost Function F2
The cost function F2 has the following form:
n
F2 =
f ij uij dij
i =1 j =1
or,
F2 =
(7-a)
ij dij
i =1 j =1
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Cost Function F3
The composite cost function F3 has the following form:
n 1
F3 =
or,
f ij uij dij + AB
i =1 j = i + 1
n 1
F3 =
(8-a)
ij dij + AB
i =1 j = i + 1
(8-b)
Cost Function F4
The composite cost function F4 has the following form:
n
F4 =
f ij uij dij + AB
i =1 j = 1
(9-a)
or,
n
F4 =
ij dij + AB
i =1 j = 1
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PRIMARY
INPUT
VIP-PLANOPT has a powerful visual interface with tips to help the
user. Most users learn to use the program without any manual as they
try VIP-PLANOPT on simple problems. Despite the efforts to make
VIP-PLANOPT a self-learning tool supported by this manual, users
may have questions while modeling a real-world problem. Technical
support is available to all users of VIP-PLANOPT. They are
encouraged to ask for assistance whenever they have any such
questions. This chapter describes the primary input required to model
a problem using the main input window of VIP-PLANOPT. The main
input window of VIP-PLANOPT appears is shown below in Fig. 4.
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Menu Bar
File Menu
The items on this menu are New, Open, Save, Save
As, Export and Exit.
Export, when clicked, opens a window called Data Export
Window and lets the user select data for export. The user may
export the module dimensions and the matrices in CSV format
for text editing or spread sheets. This menu item also lets the user
export the optimal layout to AutoCAD. Export window is shown
in Fig. 5 below:
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Constraints Menu
The items on this menu are namely Module Padding,
Boundary Constraints and Optimization Constraints.
The same has been duplicated by the command buttons in the
Optimization Constraints frame on the right. The windows that
open when these items are clicked, are described in the next
chapter.
Optimization Menu
This menu has three items related to optimization. This menu
duplicates the functionality of the controls available on the right
side of the main input window.
The menu item Set Optimization Parameters opens a
window that lets the user set optimization parameters like
Distance Norm, Optimization Seed and the type of Cost
Function.
The next menu item is Optimize. Clicking it will start the
optimization process.
The third menu item on this menu is Analyze Optimize
Layout. It opens a window that displays the optimal layout and
lets the user to modify the layout for comparing the cost with the
optimized layout.
The windows that open when these items are clicked, are
described in the next chapter.
Benchmarks menu
Clicking a menu item on this menu opens the project file for the
particular benchmark problem. Data will be displayed.
Optimization results may be viewed by clicking the Analyze
Optimized Layout button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
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Help menu
The first item on this menu About VI-PLANOPT. It displays
the copyright information and a disclaimer.
The next item is License Information. When clicked, it shows
you licensees name, license type, license ID, date of issue and
date of expiry.
The third item on this menu is Authorize that lets you search
for the license on your system and installs it so that optimization
is enabled for all problems. The Authorize window is shown
below in Fig. 6.
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Display Control
The Display Control frame on the top left corner of the screen has
the controls to display any of the modules for editing. This frame is
shown in Fig. 7. Its components are described in the following:
Current Module ID
This control displays ID of the current module i.e. the module on
display. Any modifications to the properties and data apply to the
current module. Clicking the down arrow displays a drop-down
list of all modules. User may select any module from the list.
Next
This command-button displays the next module from the list of
modules.
Previous
This command-button displays the previous module from the list
of modules.
Zoom All
This command-button refreshes the graphic display. It is needed
when the user resizes the module by dragging the mouse in the
graphic area.
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Grid/Snap Size
Enter a value in the text box for the grid size of the graphic
display area. The snap size will be set the same as the grid size.
The value entered here determines the accuracy of the graphical
input while dragging the mouse to resize the module. This does
not affect the optimization accuracy. Optimization always takes
place in continuous design space.
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New Module
The New Module frame on the top right corner of the screen has the
controls to create a new module and specify its properties. It is
shown in Fig. 8.
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Module Type
The New Module frame on the top right corner of the screen has the
controls to create a new module and specify its properties. It is shown
in Fig. 9.
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Resizing Graphically
A hard module on display can be resized graphically. There are two
ways as follows:
1) Move the mouse pointer to locate the upper right corner in the
graphics area and then click.
2) Move the mouse pointer to a boundary line of the module.
Sizing icon with up and down arrows or right and left arrows
will appear. Click and drag to make it to the required size.
Set a proper grid size to suit your problem. Mouse pointer will snap to
the grid points. You may set any value for the grid size. Decimal
fractions are allowed for example you may set a grid size of 0.5
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Resizing Numerically
While most users will do the resizing using the graphic input as
described above, data entry boxes have been provided for entering the
data numerically using the key board. The Dimensions frame next to
the graphic display has the data entry boxes showing the length and
width of the current module. This frame is shown in Fig. 11.
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Module Orientation
The user may choose module orientation for optimization purpose
from the options in the Orientation frame as shown in Fig. 12. As
described earlier a hard module may be either of Fixed orientation or
of variable orientation allowing to flip or rotate by 90 degrees. For
all modules in a problem that are allowed to flip May flip must be
chosen.
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Module Position
A modules position may be specified as Movable or Anchored.
The Position frame shown in Fig. 13 has the options for the user to
choose between the two. In the optimal layout generated by VIPPLANOPT, the anchored modules will remain strictly at their userspecified location whereas the movable modules will be placed at
optimal locations to minimize the cost.
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Module Deletion
To delete any module it must be selected and displayed as the current
module. Select the module either from the Display Control frame or
from the data grid display. The title of the Delete Module frame, as
shown in Fig. 14, will indicate the ID of the current module. Click the
Delete button to delete the module. Whenever a module is deleted,
an automatic re-numbering takes place.
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Other Properties
Fig 15 shows the frame titled Other Properties. This frame provides
two command buttons to the user. One for the placement of the fixed
module and the other for specifying the PD points (Pick-up an dropoff points). Each of these command buttons opens a new window.
The user-specified Placement is only possible for hard moles that are
anchored. PD points are applicable to all hard modules. For soft
modules, the module centroid is assumed to be the pick-up as well as
the drop-off point.
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Optimization Parameters
There are three optimization parameters namely the Cost Function,
Optimization Seed and Distance Norm that the user can modify as
shown in Fig. 18.
Cost Function
The user may choose between a Simple and Composite cost
function. A simple cost function does not include the area of the
enclosure. It is only a function of cost of flow and the intermodule distances. A composite function has an additional term
for the enclosure area with a user-specified weight on the area.
When the user chooses a composite cost function, the Weight
on area data entry box is enabled for the user to enter the
required weight.
Optimization Seed
VIP-PLANOPT has an optimization algorithm requiring a seed to
start the optimization process. Unlike other algorithms, the
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Distance Norm
The Distance Norm control frame gives the user the option to
choose any of the three distance norms. These have been
described in chapter 4.
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Optimization Constraints
There are three types of optimization constraints that can be applied.
These constraints can be specified using the command buttons
available in Optimization Constraints frame as shown in Fig. 19.
Module Padding
Module Padding imposes empty area around a module so
two modules may not come closer than a specified distance. This
control when clicked opens a window. The user may apply the
padding to any module simply by click an drag operations of the
mouse pointer..
Boundary Shape
Boundary Shape constraint forces the optimal layout to
remain within a user-specified boundary. This control when
clicked opens a window where the user can click to specify the
points that make the enclosing boundary.
Other Constraints
Other Constraints control when clicked opens a window for
input of two other constraints: 1) constraint on the maximum
distance between any two modules and 2) constraint on the
enclosure aspect ratio.
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Optimization Control
The Optimization Control frame has two command buttons has
shown in Fig. 20. They are described as follows:
Optimize
Optimize control, when clicked, starts optimization. The data
file must have been saved before starting optimization. Also, all
modules must have flow assigned to them. No user interaction is
required during the optimization and in this sense the optimization
is fully automated. A plot of the optimized layout with important
data will be displayed as soon as the optimization process comes
to an end.
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OTHER INPUT
The Main Input Window of VIP-PLANOPT is supported by 10 other
input windows. The basic and primary input with no special properties
or constraints may be completed on the Main Input window.
Whenever the user wants to associate special properties to the
modules like anchoring, pick-up and drop-off points, discrete aspect
ratio sets, module padding, boundary shape and other constraints, the
input will be done through of one of these windows. These input
windows are described in this chapter. A list of these input windows is
given below:
Table 1: List of supporting windows of VIP-PLANOPT
S/N
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Window Name
Functionality
Module
Defaults
Window
Discrete
Aspect
Ratios Window
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10
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How to Open
Click Reset button in Create Module frame of the Main Input
Window.
Notes
1) For hard modules, set the default length and width that you will
need most frequently.
2) If you have Soft modules in your problem, set the default area,
the minimum aspect ratio and the maximum aspect ratio that you
will need to input most frequently.
3) This window also opens when a new project is started by
clicking New on the File menu.
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How to Open
Select module Type to Soft. Aspect Ratio Set frame will
be visible. In this frame select Discrete option. Click
Generate button.
Notes
1) Select Automatic Generation if you have values at regular
intervals. Enter the Minimum Value, Maximum Value and
Increment in the data entry boxes. Click Generate button.
The numbers as shown in column 1 of the table in Fig 22 will
be generated.
2) Select Manual Input if an aspect ratio set has values that
have no regular increment. Type in the values in the column
for the particular set. See column 2 of the table in Fig. 22.
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How to Open
Click Show All button. This button is located in the Flow
from source to destination frame of the Main Input window. It is
used for entry of elements of the cost and flow matrices.
Notes
1) The grid that displays the matrix has data entry boxes (called
cells) for each element.
2) By default Auto Cell Increment option is on as shown in the
frame under the matrix display. Set an increment value to suit
your data. With this option, the cell value is incremented each
time the user clicks (left-click) inside a cell. Right-click causes
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3)
4)
5)
6)
the cell value to decrement and the new value becomes cell
value the increment set by the user.
If the data entry involves numbers that cannot be generated
easily by incrementing, turn the option off. With this option
turned off, click inside a cell to select the cell. Cursor will
appear inside the cell. Select the existing value inside the cell
by dragging the mouse pointer over it and then type in any
desired value.
Choose matrix type and symmetry or non-symmetry before
starting the input.
All elements of the unit cost matrix are pre-set to 1 and all
elements of flow and cost matrices are pre-set to 0. If you
have entered any values for cost or flow on the main input
window, the non-zero values will be shown here.
Any change made to Flow matrix automatically updates the
Cost matrix and similarly the Flow matrix is updated
automatically when the Cost matrix is modified. Any
modification to Unit-cost matrix automatically update the Cost
matrix. All the updating is based on : ij = fij * uij
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How to Open
Click Placement button in Other Properties frame of the
Main Input Window. This window can open only when at least
one of the modules is anchored.
Notes
1) On the top right corner of this window, a list is displayed.
This list shows all the modules that have been marked as
Anchored in the main input window. The status of the
module whether it is placed or unplaced is also indicated.
2) To place an unplaced module, select it from the list shown on
the top right and then click at the desired location.
3) Once a module is placed, it can be moved. Left click inside a
module and drag to any desired location.
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How to Open
Click PD Points button in Other Properties frame of the
Main Input Window.
Notes
1) The pick-up point symbol is green color triangle pointing
upward and the drop-off symbol is red color triangle pointing
downward.
2) Pick-up and drop-off points for a module may be selected
from the data entry panel (on the left).
3) Pick-up and drop-off points may also be input graphically
using the mouse pointer.
4) Move the mouse pointer to green or red triangle. Click inside
the triangle and then drag it to any desired location.
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How to Open
Click Module Padding button in Optimization Constraints
frame of the Main Input Window. Alternatively, click
Constraints on the menu bar then select Module Padding
from the drop down menu.
Notes
1. Padding of empty space can be applied only to hard
modules.
2. Padding size may be different on all 4 sides of a module.
3. To apply padding, select it from the drop-down list in the
Display Control frame on the right. The selected module
will be displayed. Move the mouse pointer towards an
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How to Open
Click Boundary Shape button in Optimization Constraints
frame of the Main Input window. Alternatively, click
Constraints on the menu bar then select Boundary Shape
from the drop down menu.
Notes
1) The first thing to do on this window is to select type of shape
from Shape Type frame on the right. There are two options:
Composite Shape and Simple Rectangle.
2) When Simple Rectangle is selected, the data entry cells
labeled Rectangle Width and Rectangle Length are
enabled with default values of (100, 100). Enter the required
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How to Open
Click Other Constraints button in Optimization Constraints
frame of the Main Input window. Alternatively, click
Constraints on the menu bar then select Optimization
Constraints from the drop down menu.
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Notes
1) This window is used to impose two different constraints. First
one is the Enclosure Aspect Ratio and the second is the
Upper Bounds on distance between any pair of modules.
2) When Enclosure Aspect Ratio is selected the data entry cell
is enabled. Type in the desired value. Like all other
constraints, VIP-PLANOPT attempts to satisfy the
constraints while minimizing the cost.
3) Upper bounds on distances may be imposed on any pair of
modules. Select Module I from the list of modules that
appears when the down arrow is clicked. Select Module J in a
similar way. Enter the desired value of the upper bound on the
distance between the two modules in the data entry cell under
the label Upper Bound. Click Add to List button.
4) The upper bounds may be modified for any of the constraints
added to the list. To modify a given constraint, select it from
the list. It will appear in blue color and the data will be copied
to the data entry cells above. Modify the values as required
and then click Modify button. The constraint will be
updated.
5) To delete a constraint select it from the list then click the
Delete button.
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How to Open
There are three ways to open this window:
a) Click Analyze Optimized Layout button in Optimization
Control frame at the bottom right corner of the Main Input
window.
b) Click Optimization on the menu bar then select Analyze
Optimized Layout from the drop down menu.
c) Click anywhere on the graphic display of the optimal layout on
the Main Input window. This display appears only after the
user clicks Optimize button and optimization finishes
successfully.
Notes
1) This window can only open when the optimized layout file
exists from a previous optimization of the same problem. If
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the problem has not been optimized or if the plot data file has
been deleted or modified then this window will not open.
2) The main purpose of this window is to analyze the optimal
layout and compare it with user-modified layouts or other
imported layouts.
3) The user may move any module by clicking inside it and then
by dragging the mouse pointer to any desired location. This
operation results in a modified layout with a modified value of
the cost and other parameters. The user may compare the two
and evaluate the optimality of the layout generated by VIPPLANOPT. Any anchored modules may not be moved.
4) Restore button (in the lower right region of the window),
when clicked will restore the optimal layout after any
modifications by the user.
5) The data for the layout is displayed on the right side. They are
organized in three frames. First frame labeled Optimization
Parameters has values of the users input parameters for
optimization. The second frame labeled Enclosing rectangle
has values of area, aspect ratio, length and width of the layout
on display. The third frame has the label has the label Cost
of Layout. It contains the cost of the optimized layout and
the cost of the modified layout currently on display.
6) Any user-modified layout must be free from any overlaps
between modules. If the user moves a module and relocates it
at a position that causes overlap then the cost cannot be
calculated for the modified layout and the cost value under
User modified layout label is displayed as Invalid.
7) Once an overlap has been created by the user, it is not
possible to move any other module unless the overlapping
modules are moved so that there are no over laps. The user
may click Restore button any time to undo the changes and
display the optimal layout.
8) When the Snap Centroid is checked on the centroid of any
module when dragged snap to the nearest grid point.
9) Since it is difficult and time consuming to move around a
large number of modules to obtain a desired layout, an option
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BENCHMARK
PROBLEMS
Benchmark problems with the number of modules ranging from small
to large and cost matrices of varying sparseness and randomness are
required for a realistic evaluation of a layout optimization program.
Such a set of completely documented benchmark problems involving
unequal-area modules does not exist in the published literature. For
this reason a set of 12 benchmark problems, used for evaluating the
performance of the PLANOPT program, has been integrated with the
software package. These problems may be used for comparison with
other layout optimization programs.
Data Files
S/N
Benchmark
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
No. of
Modules
Input File
L3
L4B
L8
L8FX
L12PD
L20
L28
L50
L75
L100
L125A
3
5
8
8
12
20
28
50
75
100
125
L003.VIP
L004B.VIP
L008.VIP
L008FX.VIP
L012PD.VIP
L020.VIP
L028.VIP
L050.VIP
L075.VIP
L100.VIP
L125A.VIP
L003.OUT
L004B.OUT
L008.OUT
L008FX.OUT
L012PD.OUT
L020.OUT
L028.OUT
L050.OUT
L075.OUT
L100.OUT
L125A.OUT
L125B
125
L125B.VIP
L125B.OUT
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Characteristics
The characteristics of the benchmark problems are briefly described in
the following:
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Summary
The following table gives a summary of the results for the benchmark
problems. The run-times based on Pentium 1 (120 MHz) and for
Pentium 4 (2.4 GHz) are given only for comparison. The actual runtimes depend upon the system configuration and the available
resources at the time the program is executing.
Problem
Cost
Name
Function
Type
Distance
Norm
Seed
Optimum
Cost
L3
F1
Rectilinear
270.0
0.5
0.05
L8
F1
Square Euc.
692.5
0.10
L8FX
F1
Square Euc.
763.5
0.15
L12PD
F2
Rectilinear
20
5384.4
0.27
L20
F1
Rectilinear
1157.0
0.30
L28
F1
Square Euc.
6447.2
12
1.5
L50
F1
Euclidean
12
78224.7
50
L75
F1
Rectilinear
26
34396.4
420
13
L100
F1
Rectilinear
96
538193.1
480
14
L125A
F2
Rectilinear
36
288774.6
3000
110
L125B
F1
Rectilinear
183
1,84450.7
2400
70
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Q&A
VIP-PLANOPT was developed initially as a benchmark program with
the sole purpose of presenting an algorithm that could be used by
researchers in the related fields to compare their algorithms and the
available software packages. However, gradually the feedback from
the users converted it into a practical tool for facility layout
optimization. Since some of the questions helped many users, we are
including them here in the manual. This part of the manual is new and
will be gradually enhanced by additions of more questions and
answers.
Q1
How an enclosing shape for the facility representing the building or the
land is specified in VIP-PLANOPT?
A1
This is one of the most difficult issues in layout optimization and
makes the hard problem even harder. The answer is not
straightforward because, specifying a fixed bounding rectangle or
enclosure which may represent the building or the land enclosing all
departments is one of the toughest constraints which results in
degrading the quality of optimal layouts. The user must understand
that trying to get an optimal layout in a tight space with little room for
alternative placement of modules will mostly fail or will turn into a binpacking problem rather than layout optimization. Therefore it is
advised that this option be used only when you really need it and when
trying to enclose, make sure you have the enclosing area as big as
possible.
In the previous versions of VIP-PLANOPT, the user could impose
this constraint artificially by making a boundary of any desired shape
with the help of the Anchored modules. Now, in VIP-PLAOPT
2006, a boundary of any shape can be specified using the Boundary
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Q2
How new departments to an existing facility can be added without
moving the departments in the existing facility but still getting optimal
layout by optimal placement of the new departments?
A2
VIP-PLANOPT has been quite effective in handling such problems.
With VIP-PLANOPT, it is quite simple to add new cells because VIPPLANOPT has the option of specifying the Position of any number
cells (modules) as Fixed or Movable. Fixed modules are anchored
in place and do not move during the optimization.
So, the best way to handle the problem of adding new departments to
an existing facility is to tag all existing cells as Fixed in position and
let all new modules be Movable. To anchor a module, you just have
to click the option Fixed in the Position frame on the main input
window. To specify its position, click the Placement button. VIPPLANOPT allows you to position the fixed modules either graphically
by dragging the mouse or by entering coordinates for the lower left
corners.
Q3
How can the position of aisles be defined in a layout?
A3
Aisles can be specified as modules of fixed position. Create a module
in VIP-PLANOPT and then modify its dimensions to the dimensions
of the actual aisles in your problem and tag them as fixed in position.
All aisles must have flow from all modules in the problem. If the flow
does not exist, specify a very small value. This will not affect the
optimization.
Once you have created all modules, place them to construct the aisle
system you want. Click the Placement button in the Other Properties
frame.
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Each aisles module must have some value of flow associated with it. If
the flow does not exist, specify a very small value. This will not affect
optimization.
Aisle structure cannot be closed. If you have such a situation leave a
narrow space between two aisle modules. The following is not a valid
aisle structure because it has a closed shape:
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Q4
I understand that if I could prove that there is an existing program
which gives better layouts (lower objective function) in comparable
computer time a known set of benchmark problems that include
randomly generated modules with randomly generated flow, I will
receive a full refund of the price of the program. Is there a time limit to
avail this challenging offer?
A4
You have one complete month from the date you receive the program
package or the authorization files from Engineering Optimization
Software. You must supply us all the data and programs to verify your
claims.
However, we keep checking all algorithms that are published in
refereed journals internationally. If we find out within a month that any
algorithm that really beats VIP-PLANOPT we will send you an E-mail
giving complete details of the software package that is superior to
VIP-PLANOPT and will send you the refund. For the last ten years,
no algorithm has been found by us that can beat VIP-PLANOPT in
performance, quality or functionality.
Q5
Can VIP-PLANOPT export the optimized layout to AutoCAD?
A5
Yes. VIP-PLANOPT generates the AutoCAD script file of the
optimized layout. This file has the extension SCR. This files is stored
in the same folder where you save your project file. To generate this
file, select Export from the File menu. The command in AutoCAD
to import the script file is SCRIPT. Type this command in the
command line area of AutoCAD. AutoCAD will ask you for the file
name. Enter the *.SCR file name or browse to it.
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Q6
What is optimization seed? Why it is always zero? Is it possible to set
it to a number other than zero? How does it affect the optimal layout?
Is it possible to obtain more than one optimal layouts?
A6
Layout optimization problems do not have unique solutions. The
optimal layouts generated by any layout optimization algorithm depend
upon several factors. One of them is the order or sequence in which
the modules are placed during optimization. Although, VIPPLANOPT makes this ordering dynamic and keeps updating the order
or sequence during optimization to make the optimal layout less
dependent on the order or the sequence, still the optimal layout in most
cases is not the same for all sequences. This phenomenon is used
positively in many applications to obtain several different alternative
optimal layouts to make decisions. The optimal layouts generated by
layout optimization programs are never optimal in the global sense.
However, VIP-PLANOPT makes sure the generated optimal layouts
represent local optima. This can be tested by moving any of the
modules in an optimal layout. If the cost function value cannot be
decreased by moving any one of the modules, the layout represents
one of the local optima for the problem.
Optimization seed in VIP-PLANOPT serves as a starting point for the
complex and dynamic ordering that is generated internally during
optimization. VIP-PLANOPT sets the optimization seed to zero by
default. This implies that VIP-PLANOPT will find an ordering based
on some criterion built in the program. However, this ordering may not
always give the best optimal solution. User may modify it by going to
the Optimization Parameters window.
The Optimization Parameter window may be opened by clicking the
Parameters on the menu bar. Alternatively, the user may double click
the Random Seed cell in the information bar of VIP-PLANOPT to
open this window. This information bar is under the input text box for
the project title. The user may choose a number between 1 and N
where N= 2*(number of modules in the problem).
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Q7
Does weight on the area for a composite cost function useful in getting
better layouts?
A7
The option of composite cost function with a weight on the area of
enclosure must be used with caution because it will result in increased
total cost of flow for the generated layouts. Also the effectiveness of
this option depends upon the input aspect ratio bounds and the value
of the specified weight. The user must experiment with different values
of this parameter to determine its sensitivity for a given problem.
Please read the section on cost functions in this manual for more
information.
Q8
Sometimes, a disjoint cluster error message appears. What does it
mean?
A8
This error implies that your problem has two or more disjoint sets of
modules which have no flow between them. In this case each disjoint
set of blocks must be solved as a separate layout optimization
problem.
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