A NEAT Based Two Stage Neural Network Approach to Generate a Control Algorithm for a Pultrusion System

Abstract

Controlling complex systems by traditional control systems can sometimes lead to sub-optimal results since mathematical models do often not completely describe physical processes. An alternative approach is the use of a neural network based control algorithm. Neural Networks can approximate any function and as such are able to control even the most complex system. One challenge of this approach is the necessity of a high speed training loop to facilitate enough training rounds in a reasonable time frame to generate a viable control network. This paper overcomes this problem by employing a second neural network to approximate the output of a relatively slow 3D-FE-Pultrusion-Model. This approximation is by orders of magnitude faster than the original model with only minor deviations from the original models behaviour. This new model is then employed in a training loop to successfully train a NEAT based genetic control algorithm.