Decision support system to optimise the Frictec (friction surfacing) process

This paper presents recent work that builds on an earlier paper by the authors, which introduced a novel approach to the selection of the optimum process parameters for friction surfacing, using a combination of rule based and modelling techniques. In the current paper the process optimisation is considered as a three-stage process. The first stage involves the optimisation of the process parameters required to cause the friction surfacing process to work smoothly and produce a well-formed coating. The experimental methods used to record the process parameters and the methods used to create an interactive database are described. A method of presenting the acquired data in a useful graphical form is explained and is shown to be an integral part in the rapid completion of stage one. The second and third stages, which involve bond strength and the bond strength/coating thickness relationship, are briefly explained in the context of commercial applications. A method of using the database to develop the decisions support system and its subsequent use to optimise the Frictec (friction surfacing) process is also described.