Multi-parameter optimization of machining impeller surface based on the on-machine measuring technique

Selecting the optimal machining parameters for impeller surface is a challenging task in the automatic manufacturing industry, due to its free-form surface and deep-crooked flow channel. Existing experimental methods require lots of machining experiments and off-line tests, which may lead to high machining cost and low efficiency. This paper proposes a novel method of machining parameters optimization for an impeller based on the on-machine measuring technique. The absolute average error and standard deviation of the measured points are used to define the grey relational grade for reconstructing the objective function, and the complex problem of multi-objective optimization is simplified into a problem of single-objective optimization. Then, by comparing the values of the defined grey relational grade in a designed orthogonal experiment, the optimal combination of the machining parameters is obtained. The experiment-solving process of the objective function corresponds to the minimization of the used errors, which is advantageous to reducing the machining error. The proposed method is efficient and low-cost, since it does not require re-clamping the workpiece for off-line tests. Its effectiveness is verified by an on-machine inspection experiment of the impeller blade.