Model for Predicting the Machinability of Continuously Cast and Subsequently Rolled Steel Using the Artificial Neural Network

Abstract

The paper presents a model for predicting the machinability of steels using the method of artificial neural networks. The model includes all indicators from the entire steel production process that best predict the machinability of continuously cast steel. Data for model development were obtained from two years of serial production of 26 steel grades from 255 batches and include seven parameters from secondary metallurgy, four parameters from the casting process, and the content of ten chemical elements. The machinability was determined based on ISO 3685, which defines the machinability of a batch as the cutting speed with a cutting tool life of 15 minutes. An artificial neural network is used to predict this cutting speed. Based on the modelling results, the steel production process was optimised. Over a 5-month period, an additional 39 batches of 20MnV6 steel were produced to verify the developed model.