Using artificial neural network models for the prediction of thrust force and torque in drilling operation of Al7075

Abstract

This study investigates the thrust force (Fz) and torque (Mz) in a drilling process of an Al7075 workpiece using solid carbide tools (Kennametal KC7325), depending on the effects of crucial cutting parameters such as cutting velocity, feed rate and tool diameter of 10mm, 12mm and 14mm. Artificial neural networks (ANN) methodology is used in order to acquire mathematical models for both the thrust force (Fz) and torque (Mz) related to the drilling process. The ANN results showed that the best prediction topology of the network for the thrust force was the one with five neurons in the hidden layer, while for the case of Mz the best network topology for the prediction of the experimental values was the one with six neurons in the hidden layer. Based on the results acquired, the ANN models achieved accuracy of 1,96% and 1,95% for both the thrust force and torque measured, while the R coefficient for the prediction model of the thrust force is 0.99976 and 00.99981 for the torque. As a result they can be considered as very accurate and appropriate for their prediction.