Performance Evaluation of Machine Learning-based Algorithm and Taguchi Algorithm for the Determination of the Hardness Value of the Friction Stir Welded AA 6262 Joints at a Nugget Zone

Nowadays, industry 4.0 plays a tremendous role in the manufacturing industries for increasing the amount of data and accuracy in modern manufacturing systems. Thanks to artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning, big data analytics have dramatically amended, and manufacturers easily exploit organized and unorganized data. This study utilized hybrid optimization algorithms to find friction stir welding and optimal hardness value at the nugget zone. A similar AA 6262 material was used and welded in a butt joint configuration. Tool rotational speed (RPM), tool traverse speed (mm/min), and the plane depth (mm) are used as controllable parameters and optimized using Taguchi L9, Random Forest, and XG Boost machine learning tools. Analysis of variance was also conducted at a 95% confidence interval for identifying the significant parameters. The result indicated that the coefficient of determination from Taguchi L9 orthogonal array is 0.91 obtained while Random Forest and XG Boost algorithm imparted 0.62 and 0.65, respectively.

Process parameter optimization of Friction Stir Welding on 6061AA using Supervised Machine Learning Regression-based Algorithms

The highest strength-to-weight ratio criterion has fascinated curiosity increasingly in virtually all areas where heft reduction is indispensable. Lightweight materials and their joining processes are also a recent point of research demands in the manufacturing industries. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is one of the recent advancements for joining materials without adding any third material (filler rod) and joining below the melting point of the parent material. The process is widely used for joining similar and dissimilar metals, especially lightweight non-ferrous materials like aluminum, copper, and magnesium alloys. This paper presents verdicts of optimum process parameters on attaining enhanced mechanical properties of the weld joint. The experiment was conducted on a 5 mm 6061 aluminum alloy sheet. Process parameters; tool material, rotational speed, traverse speed, and axial forces were utilized. Mechanical properties of the weld joint are examined employing a tensile test, and the maximum joint strength efficiency was reached 94.2%. Supervised Machine Learning based Regression algorithms such as Decision Trees, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting Algorithm were used. The results showed that the Random Forest algorithm yielded highest coefficient of determination value of 0.926 which means it gives a best fit in comparison to other algorithms.