Method and system for combinatorial layout design

A method executed by a computer system that provides a family mould layout to a user, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the computer system, a knowledgebase with a plurality of rules;
• encoding, by the computer system, a family mould layout design to a chromosome by:
• encoding an orientation of a cavity in a family mould by an orientation session of said chromosome;
• encoding design information of a cavity group by a group session of said chromosome;
• and
• encoding geometric and topological layout information of said cavity and a runner that connects to said cavity by a group layout shape rule session of said chromosome;
• decoding, by the computer system and a Genotype-Phenotype mapping module, said chromosome to a phenotype, wherein each said phenotype represents a family mould layout solution;
• receiving, by the computer system and via a user input interface, design specific parameters that include information of a plurality of moulding parts, design objectives and constrains, moulding requirements, predefined parameters and stopping criteria;
• generating, by the computer system and a Genetic Algorithm module, a population of valid chromosomes and evolving said population towards a resulting population that satisfies said design specific parameters over successive generations, wherein in each of said generations, said population of said valid chromosomes is mapped to a corresponding population of family mould layout solutions by said Genotype-Phenotype mapping module;
• displaying, by the computer system and on a display to the user, said family mould layout solutions on the display through an instant design feedback of quantitative fitness values;
• receiving, by the computer system and from the user, a selection of a best family mould layout solution;
• and
• generating, by the computer system, a mould design assembly model and a family mould layout based on said best family mould layout solution.