Title: Enhancement of speed and efficiency of an internet-based gear design optimisation

Authors: Nariman Amin, Daizhong Su

Addresses: School of Engineering, The Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK. ' School of Engineering, The Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK

Abstract: An internet-based gear design optimisation program has been developed for geographically dispersed teams to collaborate over the internet. The optimisation program implements genetic algorithm. A novel methodology is presented that improves the speed of execution of the optimisation program by integrating artificial neural networks into the system. The paper also proposes a method that allows an improvement to the performance of the back propagation-learning algorithm. This is done by rescaling the output data patterns to lie slightly below and above the two extreme values of the full range neural activation function. Experimental tests show the reduction of execution time by approximately 50%, as well as an improvement in the training and generalisation errors and the rate of learning of the network.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; artificial neural networks; genetic algorithms; gear design; design optimisation; internet; world wide web; web-based design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2003.003808

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2003 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.279 - 292

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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