Neural optimization machine: A neural network approach for optimization and its application in additive manufacturing with physics-guided learning

Neural networks (NNs) are increasingly used in design to construct the objective functions and constraints, which leads to the needs of optimization of NN models with respect to design variables. A Neural Optimization Machine (NOM) is proposed for constrained single/multi-objective optimization by appropriately designing the NN architecture, activation function and loss function. The NN's built-in backpropagation algorithm conducts the optimization and is seamlessly integrated with the additive manufacturing (AM) process-property model. The NOM is tested using several numerical optimization problems. It is shown that the increase in the dimension of design variables does not increase the computational cost significantly. Next, a brief review of the physics-guided machine learning model for fatigue performance prediction of AM components is given. Finally, the NOM is applied to design processing parameters in AM to optimize the mechanical fatigue properties through the physics-guided NN under uncertainties. One novel contribution of the proposed methodology is that the constrained process optimization is integrated with physics/knowledge and the data-driven AM process-property model. Thus, a physics-compatible process design can be achieved. Another significant benefit is that the training and optimization are achieved in a unified NN model, and no separate process optimization is needed. This article is part of the theme issue 'Physics-informed machine learning and its structural integrity applications (Part 1)'.