A fuzzy logic-based model in laser-assisted bending springback control

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the proposal of a fuzzy model able to describe the inherent uncertainties related to manufacturing processes and is applied to a laser-assisted bending process. The use of such a model is aimed at controlling of the springback phenomena, which occurs during the hybrid forming process, for different set of laser process parameters, i.e., initial deflection, laser power, laser scan speed, and number of passes. In particular, the uncertainties are propagated to the residual springback by the General Transformation Method, providing only an input-output relation. The fuzzy results are then compared with the measured data leading to the evaluation of the membership level of the dataset to the uncertain model. The process maps obtained are used to select operational parameters in order to obtain a desired process output, providing as additional information how much the uncertainty of the model and the process varies by changing those operational parameters. The large variability of the process is highlighted by the fuzzy model through large band of uncertainty that occur in all the process maps generated. The fuzzy model has also been used to assess the optimal parameters in order to satisfy the requirement of the least-cost. In this case, it resulted to be convenient reduce the number of passes and use the highest laser power.