AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM FOR MULTISTAGE CYLINDRICAL-GRINDING

An optimization strategy is presented for cylindrical plunge grinding operations. The optimization strategy is designed to minimize cycle ti me while satisfying production constraints. Monotonicity analysis toge ther with local linearization are used to simplify the non-linear opti mization problem and determine the process variables for the optimal c ycle. At the end of each cycle, the uncertain parameters of the proces s are estimated from sensory data so as to provide a more accurate est imation of the optimal process variables for the subsequent cycle. The optimization strategy is validated both in simulation and for actual grinding tests.