Intelligent optimization method and system therefor

摘要

A method and system of optimizing a complex manufacturing process performed to achieve one or more processing objectives for the process and/or a component produced by the process. The system includes a graphical user interface, a process module, and an optimization module. The process module includes a training module, an empirical relationships database, an analytical equations database, a heuristic knowledge database, and a process models database. The graphical user interface is used to input one or more processing variables and constraints for the processing objective. The training module generates empirical relationships from the processing variable and empirical data obtained from the manufacturing process. The process module generates a process model that takes into consideration heuristic knowledge of the manufacturing process, empirical relationships, and optionally analytical equations relating to the manufacturing process. The optimization module employs the process model to optimize the manufacturing process.

主权项

1. A method of optimizing a complex manufacturing process performed on a subject to achieve a plurality of processing objectives, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a system comprising a graphical user interface, a process module in communication with the graphical user interface, and an optimization module in communication with the process module, the process module comprising a training module, an empirical relationships database, an analytical equations database, a heuristic knowledge database, and a process models database, the optimization module comprising an optimization engine, the system controlling an apparatus adapted to perform a grinding operation; using the graphical user interface to input into the system at least one processing variable and constraints for the plurality of processing objectives of the grinding operation, the at least one processing variable comprising at least one parameter of the grinding operation, operating parameters of the apparatus for performing the grinding operation, and material of the subject, the plurality of processing objectives comprising at least one of cost of the grinding operation, cycle time of the grinding operation, and at least one desired property of the subject following the grinding operation, the at least one desired property comprising at least one of surface roughness, residual stress, and out-of-roundness of the subject; operating the apparatus to perform a trial of the grinding operation on a specimen of the subject using the at least one processing variable; inputting the at least one processing variable used in the trial and empirical data from the trial into the training module, the training module generating at least one empirical relationship between the at least one processing variable used in the trial and the empirical data from the trial and storing the at least one empirical relationship in the empirical relationships database; using the process module to generate a process model that takes into consideration heuristic knowledge of the grinding operation stored in the heuristic knowledge database, the at least one empirical relationship stored in the empirical relationships database, and optionally analytical equations stored in the analytical equations database and relating to the grinding operation; storing the process model in the process models database; and operating the optimization module by which the process model is employed to optimize the grinding operation by adjusting the at least one processing variable and inputting the adjusted processing variable into the apparatus before again operating the apparatus to perform the grinding operation and achieve the plurality of processing objectives.