Implementation of neural network for monitoring and prediction of surface roughness in a virtual end milling process of a CNC vertical milling machine

Abstract

This paper presents a real time simulation for virtual end milling process. Alyuda NeuroIntelligence was used to design and implement an artificial neural network. Artificial neural networks (ANN's) is an approach to evolve an efficient model for estimation of surface roughness, based on a set of input cutting conditions. Neural network algorithms are developed for use as a direct modeling method, to predict surface roughness for end milling operations. Prediction of surface roughness in end milling is often needed in order to establish automation or optimization of the machining processes. Supervised neural networks are used to successfully estimate the cutting forces developed during end milling processes. The training of the networks is preformed with experimental machining data. The neural network is used to predict surface roughness of the virtual milling machine to analyze and preprocess pre measured test data. The simulation for the geometrical modeling of end milling process and analytical modeling of machining parameters was developed based on real data from experiments carried out using Prolight2000 (CNC) milling machine. This application can simulate the virtual end milling process and surface roughness Ra (µm) prediction graphs against cutting conditions simultaneously. The user can also analyze parameters that influenced the machining process such as cutting speed, feed rate of worktable.