Neuro-Fuzzy Modelling of the Metallic Surface Characterization on Linear Dry Contact between Plastic Material Reinforced with SGF and Alloyed Steel

Abstract

This paper presents the modelling of wear data resulting from linear dry contact using artificial neural networks (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) with the aim of constructing predictor models for the depth and volume of the wear scar, with great impact in the characterization of new industrial processes utilizing existing materials. The dataset is the result of laboratory testing, presenting both numerical and categorical variables whose inclusion into the model allows for a number of possibilities. The width of the wear scar was measured on a microscope, and its depth was calculated. A multitude of experimental tests was performed with normal loads and different speeds, which led to some conclusive results, but in some cases, with relatively high variance. Various options for the automatic generation of fuzzy inference systems were also approached (genfis2). The innovative approach was compared with a baseline model featuring multivariate linear regression optimized using gradient descent, drawing on previous experimentation on the same dataset. The models developed can be implemented in future research and in practical applications under similar conditions, aiming to optimize performance by applying Computer Science. The obtained results lead to highly accurate prediction models which are further integrated into various metallic surface characterizations in the wear process for tribological and robotics research in new industrial processes using short glass fiber reinforced polymers.

Keywords

• ANFIS
• fuzzy logic
• clustering
• neural networks
• robotics and contact wear