Implementation of a memetic algorithm to optimize the loading of kilns for the sanitary ware production

One of the most important aspects to be considered in the production lines of sanitaries is the optimization in the use of critical resources such as kilns (industrial furnaces) due to the complexity of their management (they are turned on twice a year) and the costs incurred. The manufacturing processes of products within these kilns require that the capacity be maximized by trying to reduce downtime. In this sense, Artificial Intelligence provides bioinspired and evolutionary optimization algorithms which can handle these complex variable scenarios, the memetic algorithms being one of the main means for task scheduling. In present investigation, and based on previous works of the authors, a memetic algorithm is presented for optimization in the loading of kilns starting from a real production line.