Simultaneous Optimization of Multiple Quality Characteristics in Laser Beam Cutting Using Taguchi Method

  • Dubey, Avanish Kumar (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology) ;
  • Yadava, Vinod (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology)
  • Published : 2007.10.01

Abstract

Taguchi methods have been used for a long time to improve the product quality and process performance of a manufacturing system, Few researchers have applied this methodology in laser beam cutting (LBC) of sheet metals and found the considerable improvement in cut qualities. In all experimental investigations of LBC so far, the objective was to optimize the single quality characteristic at a time. In this paper the simultaneous optimization of multiple quality characteristics such as Kerf width and material removal rate (MRR) during pulsed Nd:YAG LBC of thin sheet of magnetic material (high Silicon-steel) has been presented using Taguchi's quality loss function. The results show the considerable improvement in multiple S/N ratio as compared to initial cutting condition. Also, the comparison of results from single and multi-objective optimization have been presented and it was found that the loss in quality is always possible shifting from single quality to multiple quality optimization.

Keywords

References

  1. Chryssolouris, G., 'Laser Machining- Theory and Practice (Mechanical Engineering Series),' Springer-Verlag, pp. 47-57, 1991
  2. Ghany, K. A. and Newishy, M., 'Cutting of 1.2 mm thick austenitic stainless steel sheet using pulsed and CW Nd:YAG laser,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 168, Issue 3, pp. 438-447, 2005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.02.251
  3. Lamikiz, A., Lacalle, L. N. L., Sanchez, J. A., Pozo, D., Etayo, J. M. and Lopez, J. M., '$CO_{2}$ laser cutting of advanced high strength steels(AHSS),' Applied Surface Science, Vol. 242, Issues 3-4, pp. 362-368, 2005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2004.08.039
  4. Chen, S. L., 'The effects of high-pressure assistant-gas flow on high-power $CO_{2}$ laser cutting,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 88, No. 1, pp. 57-66, 1999 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-0136(98)00402-6
  5. Rajaram, N., Ahmad, J. S. and Cheraghi, S. H., '$CO_{2}$ laser cut quality of 4130 steel,' International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture, Vol. 43, pp. 351-358, 2003 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-6955(02)00270-5
  6. Karatas, C., Keles, O., Uslan, I. and Usta, Y., 'Laser cutting of steel sheets: Influence of workpiece thickness and beam waist position on kerf size and stria formation,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 172, No. 1, pp. 22-29, 2006 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.08.017
  7. Tuersley, I. P., Hoult, T. P., Tony, P. and Pashby, I. R., 'Nd-YAG laser machining of SiC fibre/borosilicate glass composites,' Part II, The effect of process variables, Composites Part A, Vol. 29A, pp. 955-964, 1998
  8. Thawari, G., Sarin Sundar, J. K., Sundararajan, G. and Joshi, S. V., 'Influence of process parameters during pulsed Nd:YAG laser cutting of nickel-base superalloys,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 170, pp. 229-239, 2005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.05.021
  9. Tam, S. C., Lim, L. E. N. and Quek, K. Y., 'Application of Taguchi method in the optimization of the laser-cutting process,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 29, pp. 63-74, 1992 https://doi.org/10.1016/0924-0136(92)90425-R
  10. Lim, S. H., Lee, C. M. and Chung, W. J., 'A study on optimal cutting condition of a high speed feeding type laser cutting machine by using Taguchi method,' International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 18-23, 2006
  11. Tam, S. C., Yeo, C. Y., Jana, S., Lau, W. S., Lim, E. N. and Yang, L. J., 'Optimization of laser deep-hole drilling of Inconel 718 using the Taguchi method,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 37, pp. 741-757, 1993 https://doi.org/10.1016/0924-0136(93)90133-Q
  12. Masmiati, N. and Philip, P. K., 'Investigations on laser percussion drilling of some thermoplastic polymers,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 185, Issues 1-3, pp. 198-203, 2007 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2006.03.151
  13. Li, C. H., Tsai, M. J. and Yang, C. D., 'Study of optimal laser parameters for cutting QFN packages by Taguchi's matrix method,' Optics & Laser Technology, Vol. 39, pp. 786-795, 2007 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2006.02.005
  14. Chen, Y. H., Tam, S. C., Chen, W. L. and Zheng, H. Y., 'Application of Taguchi method in the optimization of laser micro-engraving of photomasks,' International Journal of Materials & Product Technology, Vol. 11, No. 3/4, pp. 333-344, 1996
  15. Corcoran, A., Sexton, L., Seaman, B., Ryan, P. and Byrne, G., 'The laser drilling of multi-layer aerospace material systems,' Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 123, pp. 100-106, 2002 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-0136(01)01123-2
  16. Antony, J., 'Simultaneous optimisation of multiple quality characteristics in manufacturing processes using Taguchi's quality loss function,' International Journal of Advance Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 17, pp. 134-138, 2001 https://doi.org/10.1007/s001700170201
  17. Phadke, M. S., 'Quality Engineering using Robust Design,' Prentice-Hall, pp. 41-65, 1989
  18. Hong, D. K., Choi, S. C. and Ahn, C. W., 'Robust optimization design of overhead crane with constration using the characteristic functions,' International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 12-17, 2006
  19. Han, S. R., Park, T. W. and Jeong, Y. D., 'Effects of process variables on the gas penetrated part in gas-assisted injection molding,' International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 8-11, 2006