Data Exploration Approach Versus Sensitivity Analysis for Optimization of Metal Forming Processes

Product properties for innovative materials, e.g. dual phase steels, require precise control of production processes. Difficulties in optimization of process parameters correspond with large number of control variables, which should be considered in the technology design. Sensitivity analysis allows evaluating the importance of all process inputs on the final properties of material. Information on the most important inputs is crucial for further design of the process. Application of sensitivity analysis requires detailed knowledge of the process phenomena as well as the definition of the mathematical model of the thermomechanical process. Furthermore, some sensitivity analysis algorithms are of the high computational cost. Presented work concerns possibility of the application of data exploration approach in evaluation of the importance of process inputs as the alternative for sensitivity analysis. Use of data mining algorithms eliminates necessity of mathematical model development, it also does not require any apriori knowledge about the process. Authors presents the comparison of sensitivity analysis and data exploration approach in evaluating relationships between inputs and outputs of the hot rolling for dual phase steel strips. The presented approach and the perspectives of the practical application could lead to significant decrease of time necessary for the computations of process design. The theoretical considerations are supplemented with the results of both types of analysis.