Development of the grinding wheel decision support system using data mining method

In the grinding wheel catalog data-set, the recommended grinding conditions are shown in reference to five factors (abrasive grain, grain size, grade, structure, and bonding material) of the three main elements (abrasive grain, bonding material, and pore). Since systematic arrangement is not made, grinding conditions (cutting speed, table feed, depth of cut) have to be decided on the basis of an experienced engineer's information or experience. Moreover, although the setting of the five factors of the three elements of a grinding wheel is important parameter that affects the surface quality and grinding efficiency, it is difficult to determine the optimal combination of workpiece materials and grinding conditions. In this research, a support system for effectively deciding the desired grinding wheel was built by using a decision tree technique, which is one of the data-mining techniques. This system extracts a significant tendency of grinding wheel conditions from catalog data. As a result, a visualization process was proposed in correspondence to the action of the grinding wheel elements and their factors to the material characteristics of the workpiece material.