Improving quality prediction in radial-axial ring rolling using a semi-supervised approach and generative adversarial networks for synthetic data generation

As artificial intelligence and especially machine learning gained a lot of attention during the last few years, methods and models have been improving and are becoming easily applicable. This possibility was used to develop a quality prediction system using supervised machine learning methods in form of time series classification models to predict ovality in radial-axial ring rolling. Different preprocessing steps and model implementations have been used to improve quality prediction. A semi-supervised approach is used to improve the prediction and analyze, to what extend it can improve current research in machine learning for quality prediciton. Moreover, first research steps are taken towards a synthetic data generation within the radial-axial ring rolling domain using generative adversarial networks.

Multivariable regression and gradient boosting algorithms for energy prediction in the radial-axial ring rolling (rarr) process

Energy prediction and starvation have become an essential part of process planning for the XXI century manufacturing industry due to cost-saving policies and environmental regulations. To this aim, the research presented in this paper details how machine learning-based algorithms can be an effective way to predict and minimize the energy consumptions in the widely spread radial-axial ring rolling (RARR) process. To analyze this bulk metal forming process, 380 numerical simulations have been developed using the commercial SW Simufact Forming 15 and considering three largely utilized materials, the 42CrMo4 steel, the IN 718 superalloy, and the AA6082 aluminum alloy. To create the database for both multi-variable regression and machine learning models, ring outer diameters ranging from 650 mm to 2000 mm and various process conditions including different sets of tool speeds and initial temperatures have been considered. For the case of the multi-variable regression model, to account for all the cross-influences between all the parameters, a second-order function including 26 parameters has been developed, resulting in a reasonable average accuracy (94 %) but also in an impractical huge equation. On the other hand, the machine learning model based on the Gradient Boosting (GB) approach allows obtaining a similar accuracy (96 %) but its compact form allows a more practical utilization and its training can be expanded almost indefinitely, by adding more results from both numerical simulations and experiments. The proposed approach allows to quickly and precisely predict the energy consumption in the RARR process and can be extended to other manufacturing processes.