A Fuzzy Logic-Based Prediction Model for Kerf Width in Laser Beam Machining

Abstract

In laser beam machining, the main concern is the machining quality as kerf width of the end product. It is essential for industrial applications to cut the workpiece with minimum kerf width. However, it is difficult to develop a precise functional relationship between input and output variables in laser machining. Therefore, an effort has been conducted to build up an intelligent fuzzy expert system (FES) model to predict the kerf width in CO2 laser cutting. The employed input parameters were assisting gas pressure, laser power, cutting speed, and standoff distance. The fuzzy logic was performed on fuzzy toolbox in MATLAB R2009b by employing Mamdani technique. In total, 81 experiments were carried out and experimental results were used for training and testing of the developed fuzzy model. Relative error and goodness of fit were used to investigate the accuracy of the prediction ability and the values of 3.852% and 0.994, respectively, were found to be satisfactory. This paper will extend knowledge about the prediction of kerf width by using FES model.