Optimal Solution of Multi-Pass Turning Processes by Means of the Differential Evolutionary Algorithm for Constraint Problems

The implementation of the Differential Evolutionary Algorithm for the solution of a multi-pass turning optimization problem is presented in this paper. The optimization of a multi-pass turning process is a highly demanding problem due to the number of constraints imposed. A specific variation of the Differential Evolutionary Algorithm appropriate for the treatment of constrained problems is used. It is based on the separation of candidate solutions into those that satisfy all constraints and those that do not and the simultaneous execution of two optimization algorithms. Numerical results from the minimization of the production cost of a popular multi-pass turning problem with six degrees of freedom, namely cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut of rough machining and finishing, validate the methodology. The selected problem is characterized by a number of equally stepped roughing passes and a final finishing pass of the cutting tool in order to obtain the desired metal part removal from the initial workpiece.