On the investigation of the energy efficiency using PID and fuzzy logic controllers in a marble machine

Abstract

Energy consumption is the main cost item in the cutting machines with diamond segmented circular sawblade. Therefore, there are many benefits of taking measures for reducing the energy consumption. The aim of presented experimental study is to develop control methods to reduce energy consumption in marble cutting process. In the study, cutting experiments were performed with a fully computer controlled test rig for three natural rocks (Burdur beige and Usak green marbles and Afyon travertine). The experiments were carried out on two modes (manual and automatic). While travel speed is kept fixed in manual mode as usual in industry, it is controlled by a controller embedded closed control loop during the cutting process in automatic mode. Other machine parameters, such as sawblade rotation speed, cutting depth and flowing speed of cooling water, are kept fixed in all experiments. In designed closed control loop, PID and FL controllers widely used in industry were used to control travel speed. Obtained results show that if the travel speed is controlled during cutting process, energy saving can be ensured by of controllers for the three rocks.