Machine Learning-Based Comparative Analysis for Laser Cutting of Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites: Improving Surface Electrical Resistivity and Kerf Characteristics

Consistent laser cutting quality is one of the problems associated with the nonlinearity of relationships between process parameters and output responses. This problem acquires particular importance when it comes to cutting advanced nanocomposites, which requires precise tuning. Despite the wide adoption of intelligent modelling, few studies have investigated the comparative efficiency of various approaches based on the use of the same dataset. In this research, the effectiveness of three models—Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Fuzzy Logic System (FLS)—was tested on experimental data related to the CO2 laser cutting of ABS/CNT nanocomposites. Input parameters included laser power and cutting speed, whereas HAZ width, kerf width, and surface electrical resistivity were used as output data. Data was split into training, testing, and validation datasets; models were created using supervised machine learning. Model performance was evaluated using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Analysis of results showed that ANN demonstrated acceptable predictive capabilities, yielding correlation coefficients (R) close to 1 (≈0.99) and RMSE values of 0.2956 for HAZ, 0.2061 for kerf width, and 2.3655 for surface electrical resistivity. Prediction by means of FLS was able to identify general tendencies; however, it produced RMSE values of 0.4741 for HAZ, 0.6297 for kerf width, and 1.9258 for surface electrical resistivity. Finally, the ANFIS model proved to be the most reliable model, yielding the lowest RMSE values for HAZ (0.2784), kerf width (0.0450), and surface electrical resistivity (0.0905). In conclusion, this research shows that ANFIS can be used effectively for building models predicting laser cutting processes; therefore, it represents an approach worth using in future investigations in this field.