Identifying optimal features for cutting tool condition monitoring using recurrent neural networks

Identification of optimal features is necessary for the decision-making models such as the artificial neural network to achieve effective and robust on-line monitoring of cutting tool condition. Most feature selection strategies proposed in the literature are for pattern recognition or classification problems, and not suitable for prognostic problems. This paper applies three parameter suitability metrics introduced in previous similar studies for failure-time analysis and modifies them for failure-process analysis which allows for the unit-wise variation of the component in a population. The suitability of a feature used for cutting tool condition monitoring is determined by its fitness value calculated based on the three metrics. Two types of recurrent neural network are employed to analyze the prognostics ability of the features extracted from multi-sensor signals (acoustics emission, motor current, and vibration) collected from a milling machine under various operating conditions. The analysis results validate that the fitness value of a feature can depict its prognostic ability. It is found that adding more features which share abundant information does not increase the prediction performance but increases the burden on the decision-marking models. In addition, adding features with low fitness values may even deteriorate the prediction.