A split-optimization approach for obtaining multiple solutions in single-objective process parameter optimization.
It can be observed from the experimental data of different processes that different process parameter combinations can lead to the same performance indicators, but during the optimization of process parameters, using current techniques, only one of these combinations can be found when a given objective function is specified. The combination of process parameters obtained after optimization may not always be applicable in actual production or may lead to undesired experimental conditions. In this paper, a split-optimization approach is proposed for obtaining multiple solutions in a single-objective process parameter optimization problem. This is accomplished by splitting the original search space into smaller sub-search spaces and using GA in each sub-search space to optimize the process parameters. Two different methods, i.e., cluster centers and hill and valley splitting strategy, were used to split the original search space, and their efficiency was measured against a method in which the original search space is split into equal smaller sub-search spaces. The proposed approach was used to obtain multiple optimal process parameter combinations for electrochemical micro-machining. The result obtained from the case study showed that the cluster centers and hill and valley splitting strategies were more efficient in splitting the original search space than the method in which the original search space is divided into smaller equal sub-search spaces.
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA.
Manik
M
Rajora
Mechanical Engineering College, Donghua University, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620 China.
Pan
P
Zou
Regional R&D Services Department, Metal Industries Research and Development Center, Taichung, 407 Taiwan, ROC.
Yao Guang
YG
Yang
Regional R&D Services Department, Metal Industries Research and Development Center, Taichung, 407 Taiwan, ROC.
Zhi Wen
ZW
Fan
Regional R&D Services Department, Metal Industries Research and Development Center, Taichung, 407 Taiwan, ROC.
Hung Yi
HY
Chen
Regional R&D Services Department, Metal Industries Research and Development Center, Taichung, 407 Taiwan, ROC.
Wen Chieh
WC
Wu
Mechanical Engineering College, Donghua University, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620 China.
Beizhi
B
Li
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA ; Mechanical Engineering College, Donghua University, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620 China.
Steven Y
SY
Liang
Electrochemical micro-machining (EMM); Genetic algorithm (GA); Multiple solutions; Process parameter optimization; Split-optimization