Using artificial neural networks for modeling surface roughness of wood in machining process

Surface quality of solid wood is very important for its effective utilization in further manufacturing processes. In this study, the effects of wood species, feed rate, number of cutter, cutting depth, wood zone (earlywood-latewood) and grain size of abrasives on surface roughness were investigated and modeled by artificial neural networks. It was shown that the artificial neural network prediction model obtained is a useful, reliable and quite effective tool for modeling surface roughness of wood. Thus, the results of the present research can be successfully applied in the wood industry to reduce the time, energy and high experimental costs. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.