Parametric Optimization of Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning Techniques Applied to Small Welding Datasets

Vinícius Resende Rocha, Fran Sérgio Lobato, Pedro Augusto Queiroz de Assis, Carlos Roberto Ribeiro, Sebastião Simões da Cunha, Louriel Oliveira Vilarinho, João Rodrigo Andrade, Leonardo Rosa Ribeiro da Silva, Luiz Eduardo dos Santos Paes

Establishing precise welding parameters is essential to achieving the desired bead geometry and ensuring consistent quality in manufacturing processes. However, determining the optimal configuration of parameters remains a challenge, particularly when relying on limited experimental data. This study proposes the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs), with their architecture optimized via differential evolution (DE), to predict key MAG welding parameters based on target bead geometry. To address data limitations, cross-validation and data augmentation techniques were employed to enhance model generalization. In addition to the ANN model, machine learning algorithms commonly recommended for small datasets, such as K-nearest neighbors (KNNs) and support vector machines (SVMs), were implemented for comparative evaluation. The results demonstrate that all models achieved good predictive performance, with SVM showing the highest accuracy among the techniques tested, reinforcing the value of integrating traditional ML models for benchmarking purposes in low-data scenarios.