Robotic Cell Layout Optimization Using a Genetic Algorithm
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors‘The use of advanced algorithms is now included, in [6], mixed programming techniques are presented’ – unclear.
‘Unlike similar algorithms in the literature’ – provide some examples.
Avoid short (2-3 lines) paragraphs.
‘2.1. Robotic cell’ – this should be clarified from the beginning, as ‘1. Introduction’ includes ‘Optimizing a robotic cell is a critical process in modern manufacturing…’.
All the figures/tables (that require more explanations) and formulas should be consistent in style. Make sure that you include results for all the mentioned sources.
‘Here’s’ – avoid word abbreviation.
Try and systematically support your claims by recent and relevant sources, and add comparisons with other current research outcomes, particularly in the ‘4. Discussion’, that is extremely short, as otherwise it is unclear what the integrative value of your research is in the contemporary debates on the topic.
The specific addressed gap should be correlated with relevant literature, thus configuring research strands that lead to hypothesis formation.
Methodology should be better clarified and compared in terms of cumulative novelty with mainstream ones.
‘5. Conclusions’ is also quite short, with missing limitations and further research, while this section should be consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. The reference list needs better editing with about half of the cited sources not from peer reviewed journals.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
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Author Response
We appreciate your review and have attached our comments.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsIf the following sentence is the aim of the paper: "The goal is to obtain an optimized distribution of the workstations and validate this optimization by comparing the transfer times between stations with the current times.". I recommend rephrasing the aim of the paper and include it in the abstract of the paper also.
I recommend that the authors reconsider the labeling of current travel time and algorithm travel time, as well as the labeling of (seg) in Table 2, Table 4, Table 6 and Table 7. Travel time, I recommend replacing motion time or transfer time. The symbol of second is s. I recommend the authors add the limits of the genetic algorithm for use in industrial enterprises or disadvantages of their use.
Author Response
We appreciate your review and have attached our comments.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors work on an interesting and yet practical problem, and, in this sense, the result they presented looks extraordinary.
The paper clearly describes the methodology and present results, but the authors must put some additional effort into improving the scientific soundness of the paper.
Please address the following questions/notes/remarks:
- you need to add the section dedicated to related work and current state-of-the-art research. Please write how these references influenced your work
- indicate research questions and expected results in the introduction/background/motivation section
- please write a note that you examine cases of single-robot cells and why not multi-robot cells
- explain in more detail the formulas that bring the solution as displayed in Figure 5
- please drill down through all the elements of your algorithm (Figure 6). As it is now, it is too globally defined and without proper detail level
- Discussion - comparison with other similar solutions is missing
Author Response
We appreciate your review and have attached our comments.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis revised version can be published.
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors successfully met all the requirements from the previous review round. I suggest to accept the paper in its present form.
