Prediction of the onset of shear localization based on machine learning

Abstract Predicting the onset of shear localization is among the most challenging problems in machining. This phenomenon affects the process outputs, such as machining forces, surface quality, and machined part tolerances. To predict this phenomenon, analytical, experimental, and numerical methods (especially finite element analysis) are widely used. However, the limitations of each method hinder their industrial applications, demanding a reliable and time-saving approach to predict shear localization onset. Additionally, since this phenomenon largely depends on the type and parameters of the constitutive material model, any change in these parameters requires a new set of simulations, which puts further restrictions on the application of finite element modeling. This study aims to overcome the computational efficiency of the finite element method to predict the onset of shear localization when machining Ti6Al4V using machine learning methods. The obtained results demonstrate that the FCM (fuzzy c-means) clustering ANFIS (adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system) has given better results in both training and testing when it is compared to the ANN (artificial neural network) architecture with an R2 of 0.9981. Regarding this, the FCM-ANFIS is a good candidate to calculate the critical cutting speed. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the literature that uses a machine learning tool to predict shear localization.