A heuristic configuration solving process planning method for mechanical product configuration by imitating the crystal crystallization process

Abstract Configuration design is a process of composing customized product from a set of predefined component types with a set of well-defined rules which decide how items can be selected and combined. The configuration solving process is to instantiate all component types into instances. However, the configurator faces a problem of how to determine the instantiation order of component types in the configuration solving process. An unreasonable instantiation order may reduce the accuracy of the configuration result and extend the time required to finish the configuration. In response to the above problem, a heuristic configuration solving process planning method by imitating the crystal crystallization process (CCP) was proposed. According to the product configuration rules, the frequent itemset mining algorithm was used to mine the correlation between the attribute parameters of product configuration unit. By imitating the CCP and utilizing the calculated coupling strength, the configurator will determine a suitable instantiation sequence for component types. This method has been applied in the GB10 elevator produced by Canny Elevator. It is found that the configuration accuracy has been improved and the consumption of time has been reduced.