Skip to main content

A Reinforcement Learning Based Approach for Welding Sequence Optimization

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Transactions on Intelligent Welding Manufacturing

Abstract

We develop and implement a Q-learning based Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithm for Welding Sequence Optimization (WSO) where structural deformation is used to compute reward function. We utilize a thermomechanical Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method to predict deformation. We run welding simulation experiment using well-known Simufact® software on a typical widely used mounting bracket which contains eight welding beads. RL based welding optimization technique allows the reduction of structural deformation up to ~66%. RL based approach substantially speeds up the computational time over exhaustive search.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Goldak JA, Akhlaghi M (2005) Computational welding mechanics. http://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780387232874. Accessed 21 May 2016

  2. Masubuchi K (1980) Analysis of welded structures. Pergamon Press Ltd., Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  3. Islam M, Buijk A, Rais-Rohani M et al (2014) Simulation-based numerical optimization of arc welding process for reduced distortion in welded structures. Finite Elem Anal Des 84:54–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kumar DA, Biswas P, Mandal NR et al (2011) A study on the effect of welding sequence in fabrication of large stiffened plate panels. J Mar Sci Appl 10:429–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Jackson K, Darlington R (2011) Advanced engineering methods for assessing welding distortion in aero-engine assemblies. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 26:12018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Sutton RS, Barto AG (1998) Reinforcement learning: an introduction. MIT press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  7. Romero-Hdz J et al (2016) An elitism based genetic algorithm for welding sequence optimization to reduce deformation. Res Comput Sci 121:17–36

    Google Scholar 

  8. Romero-Hdz J et al (2016) Deformation and residual stress based multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (GA) for welding sequence optimization. In: Proceedings of the Mexican international conference on artificial intelligence, Cancun, Mexico, vol 1, pp 233–243

    Google Scholar 

  9. Derlukiewicz D, Przybyłek G (2008) Chosen aspects of FEM strength analysis of telescopic jib mounted on mobile platform. Autom Constr 17:278–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Subbiah S, Singh OP, Mohan SK et al (2011) Effect of muffler mounting bracket designs on durability. Eng Fail Anal 18:1094–1107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Romeo ŞI et al (2015) Study of the dynamic behavior of a car body for mounting the rear axle. Proc Eur Automot Congr 25:782

    Google Scholar 

  12. Mohammed MB, Sun W, Hyde TH (2012) Welding sequence optimization of plasma arc for welded thin structures. WIT Trans Built Environ 125:231–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kadivar MH, Jafarpur K, Baradaran GH (2000) Optimizing welding sequence with genetic algorithm. Comput Mech 26:514–519

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  14. Damsbo M, Ruboff PT (1998) An evolutionary algorithm for welding task sequence ordering. Proc Artif Intell Symbolic Comput 1476:120–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Islam M, Buijk A, Rais-Rohani M, Motoyama K (2014) Simulation-based numerical optimization of arc welding process for reduced distortion in welded structures. Finite Elem Anal Des 84:54–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Warmefjord K, Soderberg R, Lindkvist L (2010) Strategies for optimization of spot welding sequence with respect to geometrical variation in sheet metal assemblies. Design and Manufacturing 3: 569–57

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kim HJ, Kim YD, Lee DH (2004) Scheduling for an arc-welding robot considering heat-caused distortion. J Oper Res Soc 56(1):39–50

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  18. Romero-Hdz J et al (2016) Welding sequence optimization using artificial intelligence techniques: an overview. Int J Comput Sci Eng 3(11):90–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Okumoto Y (2008) Optimization of welding route by automatic machine using reinforcement learning method. J Ship Prod 24:135–138

    Google Scholar 

  20. Tesauro G (1994) TD-gammon, a self-teaching backgammon program, achieves master-level play. Neural Comput 6:215–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Schultz W, Dayan P, Montague P (1997) A neural substrate of prediction and reward. Science 16:1936–1947

    Google Scholar 

  22. Sutton R (1990) Integrated architectures for learning, planning, and reacting based on approximating dynamic programming. In: Proceedings of 7th international conference on machine learning, vol 1, pp 216–224

    Google Scholar 

  23. Choi J, Laibson D, Madrian B et al (2007) Reinforcement learning and savings behavior. Yale Technical Report ICF Working Paper, 09–01

    Google Scholar 

  24. Singh S, Bertsekas D (1997) Reinforcement learning for dynamic channel allocation in cellular telephone systems. Adv Neural Inf Process Syst 9:974–982

    Google Scholar 

  25. Ernst D, Glavic M, Geurts P et al (2005) Approximate value iteration in the reinforcement learning context-application to electrical power system control. Int J Emerg Electr Power Syst 3(1):1066

    Google Scholar 

  26. Abbeel P, Coates A, Quigley M et al (2007) An application of reinforcement learning to aerobatic helicopter flight. Adv Neural Inf Process Syst 19:1–8

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by CONACYT (The National Council of Science and Technology) and CIDESI (Center for Engineering and Industrial Development) as well as their personnel that helped to realize this work and the Basic Science Project (254801) supported by CONACYT, Mexico.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jesus Romero-Hdz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Romero-Hdz, J., Saha, B., Toledo-Ramirez, G., Lopez-Juarez, I. (2018). A Reinforcement Learning Based Approach for Welding Sequence Optimization. In: Chen, S., Zhang, Y., Feng, Z. (eds) Transactions on Intelligent Welding Manufacturing. Transactions on Intelligent Welding Manufacturing. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7043-3_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7043-3_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7042-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7043-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics