Optimizing the number of tools and cutting parameters in multi-tool turning for multiple objectives through geometric programming (Q1084011)

Multiple tool turning is often considered an economic alternative to single tool turning but for its rational application, however, accurate process planning is essential. This paper investigates the automatic (computerized) process planning for a multiple tool turning operation. A unified or multiple objective function based on cost of production and rate of production has been developed. The unified objective function is optimized, subject to constraints, such as component characteristics, machine power available, cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut rate. In all, 14 constraints are applied to the multiple objective function. During analysis, however, it was discovered that the integrality requirement on the number of tools, poses a great problem. Due to this constraint, the optimization problem became one of the 'nonlinear mixed integer programming' class. Nonlinear programming, coupled with integer programming, is always a complex problem and was tackled by suitably modifying the geometric programming technique. The mathematical model developed was further modified to include discrete steps of speed and feed on the machine. It was found that in discrete cases, the number of passes required for completing the job was more than in the continuous case. The approach has been demonstrated through an example.