Paper Title
Facility Layout Planning using Hybrid Particle Swarm Ant Colony Optimization (PS-ACO) Technique

Abstract
In order to improve the performance of manufacturing system we have solved facility layout problem (FLP) using particle swarm optimization hybridized with ant colony optimization technique. The article gives an overview of basic concepts and functional operation of Particle Swarm Optimization and Ant Colony Optimization. In this research work our focus is to redesign the existing layout for maximum utilization of the available resources in the system by an optimal combination of machines. The optimization procedure involves the selection of the key factors affecting the production efficiency of the plant and optimization using PS-ACO technique. Results shows that proposed design significantly improve the performance indicators such as efficiency, utilization time and production rate to great extent. The simulation has been carried out on the MATLAB 7.0 software. Keywords - Facility Layout, Particle Swarm Optimization, Ant Colony Optimization, Optimal Combination of Machine, Simulation