Robust Soft Sensor with Deep Kernel Learning for Quality Prediction in Rubber Mixing Processes Although several datadriven soft sensors are available, online reliable prediction of the Mooney viscosity in industrial rubber mixing processes is still a challenging task. A robust semisupervised soft sensor, called ensemble deep correntropy kernel regression (EDCKR), is proposed. It integrates the ensemble strategy, deep brief network (DBN), and correntropy kernel regression (CKR) into a unified soft sensing framework. The multilevel DBNbased unsupervised learning stage extracts useful information from all secondary variables. Sequentially, a supervised CKR model is built to explore the relationship between the extracted features and the Mooney viscosity values. Without cumbersome preprocessing steps, the negative effects of outliers are reduced using the CKRbased robust nonlinear estimator. With the help of ensemble strategy, more reliable prediction results are further obtained. An industrial case validates the practicality and reliability of EDCKR.

Datadriven modeling of semibatch manufacturing: a rubber compounding test case The continuously growing amount of available data from manufacturing processes supports the development of datadriven models. The typical target application of these models is optimal control and continuous quality management within an objective of zerodefect manufacturing. However, data obtained from batch processes are characterized by its high dimensionality that exceeds the computational capabilities of online applications and datadriven modelu0027s reliability must be guaranteed for proper industrial implementation. We explore two approaches to reduce problemu0027s size: feature extraction and feature selection; several multivariate regression methods are also compared regarding it precision and robustness. We base our analysis on an industrial rubber compounding process where natural rubber is blended in a semibatch mixer with several additives, then it is further mixed up using cylinders and it is conditioned in bands for storing. For this process, real production data is collected and stored in the manufacturing execution system of the company. The objective of the analysis is to predict mechanical properties of the rubber at the end of the processes. Based on the provided data, several datadriven models are built and tested. From the comparison among them it is concluded: models based on feature extraction and artificial neural networks yield the highest accuracy, while featureselected models provide better physical interpretability and increased robustness regarding industrial deployment.