SA-SOM: simulated annealing-self-organizing map for drill path planning of printed circuit boards

In this paper, a Simulated Annealing Self-Organizing Map (SA-SOM) algorithm is proposed to solve the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) drilling path optimization problem. First, the PCB hole types are analyzed, and it is found that the key to solving the PCB drilling path optimization problem (PDPO) lies in planning the paths of pad holes and through holes. After that, the SA-SOM algorithm is proposed to plan the paths. The SA-SOM algorithm is based on the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) algorithm, with targeted modifications of the learning rate and the neighborhood function, and the SA-SOM algorithm is more suitable for the PDPO. The experimental results show that the optimal distance of the SA-SOM algorithm is about 15% better than the comparison algorithm, and the solution time is better than the comparison algorithm when the borehole size is larger than 1000.