This chapter begins with an explanation about the importance of modeling and optimization of manufacturing processes not only from the scientific and researching point of view but also for practical industrial applications. Then it introduces the hybrid approach which combines artificial intelligence tools and finite element method for these modeling and optimization tasks. The advantages and shortcomings of each of these techniques are exposed, highlighting the convenience of combining both methods, increasing the robustness and flexibility. Furthermore, the different approaches for combining artificial intelligence and finite element method in modeling and optimization of manufactured processes are outlined and preliminarily evaluated. 1.1 Relevance and Convenience of Hybrid Modeling and Optimization of Manufacturing Processes Modeling of the physical phenomena involved in manufacturing processes (machining, forming, foundry, etc.) has been recognized as one of the most important tasks in manufacturing research. Accurate and realistic mathematical models not only allow understanding how these phenomena take place, but also facilitate the development of new manufacturing processes. Knowledge about the quantitative relationships between the different parameters involved in manufacturing processes also permits the implementation of effective monitoring and control system, which are indispensable in the high automated modern industry. Moreover, the use of highly optimized manufacturing processes is widely accepted as a necessary condition for achieving effectiveness, efficiency and economic competitiveness in manufacturing workshops. R. Quiza et al., Hybrid Modeling and Optimization of Manufacturing, SpringerBriefs in Computational Mechanics, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-28085-6_1, The Author(s) 2012 1 Unfortunately, the physical nature of the phenomena underlying the manufacturing processes is not easy to understand, as they involve complex nonlinear relationships which are no completely explained up to date. This situation worsens with the use of modern materials for parts and tools. For example, for many years, the tool life of high speed steels cutting tools, working at relatively low speeds, was described by the well-known Taylor’s law (Childs et al. 2000) with an acceptable error level. However, the introduction of multi-coated carbides and PCBN tools, at high cutting speeds and hard conditions has made the Taylor’s law useless or, at less, extremely limited (Dolinsek et al. 2001). Two main approaches can be used in modeling manufacturing processes (see Fig. 1.1). On one hand, the phenomenological modeling is based on the identification and mathematical description of the physical phenomena. It has the advantage of being more realistic and accurate. Also they help to understand the mechanisms of these phenomena. This mathematical description comes in the form of expressions, usually differential equations which can be solve analytically only for a limited set of simple problems. For most of the real problems, these equations (especially partial differential equations) have not analytical solutions and approximated numerical solutions must be obtained instead. Between the numerical methods used for solving partial differential equation, the finite element method (FEM) has reach the higher application levels, because of its ability for being applied to problems defined over complex spatial domains and the relative simplicity of its computational implementation (Dixit and Dixit 2008). FEM has been successfully applied to a wide variety of manufacturing processes, such as machining (Arrazola and Ozel 2010; Mamalis et al. 2008), forming (Gudur and Dixit 2008; Shahani et al. 2009), welding (Anca et al. 2011) and foundry (Lewis et al. 2005). Sometimes, the phenomenological models are too much idealized for giving results accurate enough for being used in practical applications. In these cases, empirical models, based on correlation of experimental data, play a crucial role. The main drawback of this kind of models is its incapability for identifying or explaining the physical relationship between the involved variables. However, they usually offer accurate outcomes for industrial applications and had been widely used in optimization of manufacturing processes. Traditionally, the mathematical techniques used for correlating data in empirical models were those based on statistics. These tools are quite simple and are Fig. 1.1 Classification of modeling techniques 2
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