A Customized Neural Network for Sensor Fusion in On-Line Monitoring of Cutting Tool Wear

Abstract

A customized neural network for sensor fusion of acoustic emission and force in on-line detection of tool wear is developed. Based on two critical concerns regarding practical and reliable tool-wear monitoring systems, the maximal utilization of “unsupervised” sensor data and the avoidance of off-line feature analysis, the neural network is trained by unsupervised Kohonen’s Feature Map procedure followed by an Input Feature Scaling algorithm. After levels of tool wear are topologically ordered by Kohonen’s Feature Map, input features of AE and force sensor signals are transformed via Input Feature Scaling so that the resulting decision boundaries of the neural network approximate those of error-minimizing Bayes classifier. In a machining experiment, the customized neural network achieved high accuracy rates in the classification of levels of tool wear. Also, the neural network shows several practical and reliable properties for the implementation of the monitoring system in manufacturing industries.