The Optimization of a Lathing Process Based on Neural Network and Factorial Design Method

The capability to optimize the surface roughness is critical to the surface quality of manufactured work pieces. If the performance of the available CNC machine is correctly characterized or the relationship between inputs and output is clearly identified, the operators on the shop floor will be able to operate their machine at the highest efficiency. In order to achieve the desired objective, this research is based on the empirical study which is conducted in such a way that the optimization method is utilized to analyze the empirical data. The focused process in this study is the lathing process with three input factors, spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut while the corresponding output is surface roughness. Two methods, namely artificial neural network (ANN) and 2^k factorial design, are used to construct mathematical models exploring the relationship between inputs and output. The performance of each method is compared by considering the forecasting errors after fitting the model to the empirical data. The results according to this study signify that there is no significant difference between the performance of these two optimization methods.