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The purpose of this paper is to investigate experimentally the effect of volume of casting, pouring temperature of different materials and shell mould wall thickness on the surface roughness of the castings obtained by using ZCast direct metal casting process.

Taguchi's design of experiment approach was used for this investigation. An L9 orthogonal array (OA) of Taguchi design which involves nine experiments for three factors with three levels was used. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then performed on S/N (signal‐to‐noise) ratios to determine the statistical significance and contribution of each factor on the surface roughness of the castings. The castings were obtained using the shell moulds fabricated with the ZCast process and the surface roughness of castings was measured by using the surface roughness tester.

Taguchi's analysis results showed that pouring temperature of materials was the most significant factor in deciding the surface roughness of the castings and the shell mould wall thickness was the next most significant factor, whereas volume of casting was found insignificant. Confirmation test was also carried out using the optimal values of factor levels to confirm the effectiveness of this approach. The predicted optimal value of surface roughness of castings produced by ZCast process was 6.47 microns.

The paper presents experimentally investigated data regarding the influence of various control factors on the surface roughness of castings produced by using ZCast process. The data may help to enhance the application of ZCast process in traditional foundry practice.

Taguchi's technique is best suited to optimize a single performance characteristic yielding an optimal setting of process parameters. A single setting of process parameters may be optimal for one quality characteristics but the same setting may yield detrimental results for other quality features. Thus the purpose of this paper is to describe simultaneous optimization of multi‐characteristics.

The multi‐machining characteristics have been optimized simultaneously using Taguchi's parameter design approach and the utility concept. The paper used a single performance index, utility value, as a combined response indicator of several responses.

A simplified model based on Taguchi's approach and utility concept is used to determine the optimal settings of the process parameters for a multi‐characteristic product. The model is used to predict optimal settings of turning process parameters to yield the optimum quality characteristics of En24 steel turned parts using TiC coated carbide inserts. The optimal values obtained using the multi‐characteristic optimization model have been validated by confirmation experiments. The model can be extended to any number of quality characteristics provided proper utility scales for the characteristics are available from the realistic data.

The proposed methodology can be applied to those industrial situations where a number of responses are to be optimized simultaneously.

The paper discusses a case study on En24 steel turned parts using titanium carbide coated tungsten carbide inserts. The material, En24 steel, has wide applications in aerospace, machine tools, automobiles, etc. The proposed algorithm is easy to apply.

Wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) is a non-conventional machining process, which is used to provide difficult and intricate shapes. The purpose of this research work is to apply Taguchi’s technique to optimize the process parameters in WEDM. Alloy steel 20MnCr5 has been selected as base material for experimentation. The effects of the input process parameters such as wire type, pulse-on time, pulse-off time, peak current, wire feed rate and servo voltage have been calculated on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) in WEDM operation.

In the research work, Taguchi's technique is applied to optimize the process parameters in WEDM.

ANOVA indicated that pulse-off time was the most significant factor for the MRR, and servo voltage was the most significant factor for surface roughness (SR). As a part of the project, 20MnCr5 was machined in wire electric discharge machine, and the optimal control parameters were found to get higher MRR and better SR using Taguchi’s technique.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, after reviewing the literature, materials including alloys of metals such as 16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5 have not been investigated so far, and research regarding machining of these materials is limited. Therefore, 20MnCr5 material has been selected for this research work to generate WEDM data.

The purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a robust industrial control system. The aim is to design a Multivariable Proportional Integral controller that accommodates multiple responses while considering the process's control and noise parameters. In addition, this paper intended to develop a multidisciplinary approach by combining computational science, control engineering and statistical methodologies to ensure a resilient process with the best use of available resources.

Taguchi's robust design methodology and multi-response optimisation approaches are adopted to meet the research aims. Two-Input-Two-Output transfer function model of the distillation column system is investigated. In designing the control system, the Steady State Gain Matrix and process factors such as time constant (t) and time delay (?) are also used. The unique methodology is implemented and validated using the pilot plant's distillation column. To determine the robustness of the proposed control system, a simulation study, statistical analysis and real-time experimentation are conducted. In addition, the outcomes are compared to different control algorithms.

Research indicates that integral control parameters (K_i) affect outputs substantially more than proportional control parameters (K_p). The results of this paper show that control and noise parameters must be considered to make the control system robust. In addition, Taguchi's approach, in conjunction with multi-response optimisation, ensures robust controller design with optimal use of resources. Eventually, this research shows that the best outcomes for all the performance indices are achieved when Kp11 = 1.6859, Kp12 = −2.061, Kp21 = 3.1846, Kp22 = −1.2176, Ki11 = 1.0628, Ki12 = −1.2989, Ki21 = 2.454 and Ki22 = −0.7676.

This paper provides a step-by-step strategy for designing and validating a multi-response control system that accommodates controllable and uncontrollable parameters (noise parameters). The methodology can be used in any industrial Multi-Input-Multi-Output system to ensure process robustness. In addition, this paper proposes a multidisciplinary approach to industrial controller design that academics and industry can refine and improve.

The purpose of this paper is to find out the optimum machining parameters using Taguchi technique with principal component analysis (PCA) during end milling of GFRP composites.

In multi-objective optimization, weight criteria of each objective are important for producing better and accurate solutions. This method has been employed for simultaneous minimization of surface roughness, cutting force and delamination factor. Experiments were planned using Taguchi’s orthogonal array with the machining parameters, namely, helix angle of the end mill cutter, spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut were optimized with considerations of multiple response characteristics, including machining force, surface roughness and delamination as the responses. PCA is adopted to find the weight factors involved for all objectives. Finally analysis of variance concept is employed on multi-SN ratio to find out the relative significance of machining parameter in terms of their percentage contribution.

The multi-SN ratio is achieved by the product of weight factor and SN ratio to the performance characteristics in the utility concept. The results show that a combination of machining parameters for the optimized results has helix angle of 35°, machining speed of 4,000 m/min, feed rate of 750 mm/rev and depth of cut of 2.0 mm.

Effect of milling of GFRP composites on delamination factor, surface roughness and machining force with various helix angle solid carbide end mill has not been analysed yet using PCA techniques.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a simple methodology in solving multi‐response optimisation problems by employing Taguchi methods and a non‐parametric statistical technique.

There is a continuous interest in developing effective and statistically sound multi‐response optimisation methods such that they will provide a firm framework in global product and process improvement. A non‐parametric approach is proposed for the first time in a five‐step methodology that exploits Taguchi's fractional factorial designs and the concept of signal‐to‐noise ratio in data consolidation. The distinct feature of this method is the transformation of each response variable to a single rank variable. The subsequent incorporation of the squared ranks for each of the investigated responses issues a single master‐rank response suitably referred to conveniently as a “Super Rank” (SR) response, thus collapsing all dependent product characteristic information into a single non‐dimensional variable. This SR variable is handled by standard non‐parametric methods such as Wilcoxon's two‐sample, rank sum test or Mann‐Whitney's test eliminating at the same time multi‐distribution effects and small‐sample complications expected for this type of experimentation.

The proposed methodology is tested on already published data pertaining a design problem in the electronic assembly technology field. The case study requires six‐factor simultaneous optimisation of three response variables. A second example is analyzed by the proposed method focusing on the optimisation of a submerged arc‐welding process problem due to a group of five factors. The Mann‐Whitney's test contrasts the effects of factor settings one‐to‐one on the SR response in order to assign statistical significance to the optimal factor settings.

The application of this methodology is tested at the same time in a real three‐response optimisation case study where each response belongs to different optimisation category.

The methodology outlined in this work eliminates the need for sophisticated multi‐response data handling. In addition, small‐sample considerations and multi‐distribution effects that may be inherent do not restrict the applicability of the method presented herein by this type of experimentation.

This investigation provides a new angle to the published methods of multi‐response optimisation by supporting Taguchi's design of experiments methods through a multi‐ranking scheme that leads to non‐parametric factor resolution.

The purpose of this paper is to present computer‐generated combined arrays as efficient alternatives to Taguchi's crossed arrays to solve robust parameter problems.

The alternative combined array designs were developed for the cases including six to twelve variables where CMR designs are not smaller than Taguchi's designs. The efficiency to estimate the effects of interest was calculated and compared to the efficiency of the corresponding CMR designs.

For all the cases investigated at least one computer generated combined array design was found with the same size as the CMR design and with higher efficiency.

Robust parameter design identifies appropriate levels of controllable variables in a process for the manufacturing of a product. The designed experiments involve the controllable variables along with the uncontrollable or noise variables to design a product or process that will be robust to changes in these noise variables. Response surface methodology estimates the actual relationship between the response and the input variables with an empirical model based on the designed experiment. Once the empirical model is fitted, the surface described by the model can be used to describe the behavior of the response over the experimental region. The higher efficiency of the computer generated combined array designs proposed in this research produces lower variances for the parameter estimates and lower variance of prediction for the model. As a result, the response will be described in a more realistic form.

The paper shows that using a computer‐generated design to solve a robust parameter problem will result in a better approximation to the true response of the process. Consequently, optimizing the fitted model will produce settings for the parameters closer to the real optimal settings.

Micro-EDM is an important process in the field of micro-machining. Especially, the μEDM is one of the technologies widely used for manufacture of micro-parts, micro-tools and micro-components, etc. The accuracy and repeatability of the μEDM process is still highly dependent on the μWEDG process. The electrode generation and regeneration is considered a key enabling technology for improving the performance of the μEDM process. Many engineers considered the Taguchi technique as engineering judgment during multiple response optimizations. This paper aims to focus on the use of micro-WEDG process to generate a micro-tool (electrode) with minimum surface roughness and higher metal removal rate (MRR).

In this research work, the Taguchi quality loss function analysis is used to examine and explain the influences of three process parameters (feed rate, capacitance and voltage) on the output responses such as MRR and surface roughness. Further, the optimized machining parameters were determined considering the multiple response objective using Taguchi multi-response signal-to-noise ratio.

Based on the experimental result, it was concluded that the Taguchi technique is suitable for the optimization of multi-response problem.

This paper presents an alternative approach using Taguchi's quality loss function. In most of the modern technological situations, more than one response variable is pertinent to the success of an industrial process. In this research work, the influence of feed rate, capacitance and voltage on the MRR and surface roughness (multiple responses) is investigated.

Recent advances in modern technology have generated the need to develop newer materials for better antifriction and wear properties. The objective is to analyse the significance of design parameters that significantly affects the dry sliding wear.

The tribological behaviour of aluminium alloy (Al‐Si10Mg) reinforced with alumina and graphite produced by liquid metallurgy is studied using pin‐on‐disc wear test apparatus under dry sliding condition. Experiments are conducted based on the plan of experiments generated through Taguchi technique. A L27 Orthogonal array is selected for analysis of the data. Influence of applied load, sliding speed and weight percentage of reinforcements on wear rate as well as the coefficient of friction during wearing process is studied using analysis of variance technique and regression equations for each response are developed. Finally, confirmation tests are carried out to verify the experimental results.

Mechanical property such as hardness has been evaluated and it was found that the hardness increases as reinforcement content increases. The wear rate and coefficient of friction increases by increasing load and decreases by increasing sliding speed and weight percentage of reinforcements. Results from analysis of variance reveals that the applied load has the highest influence on both wear rate and coefficient of friction, followed by sliding speed and weight percentage of reinforcement.

Aluminium hybrid metal matrix composites showing ample success in improving strength and wear resistance by utilising the optimal process condition.

The results obtained by this method are useful in improving the dry sliding wear resistance.

This study aims to investigate issues of quality and quality control (QC) in three-dimensional (3D) printing by reviewing past work and current practices. Possible future developments are also discussed.

After a discussion of the major quality dimensions of 3D-printed objects, the applications of some QC techniques at various stages of the product life cycle (including product design, process planning, incoming QC, in-process QC and outgoing QC) are introduced.

The application of QC techniques to 3D printing is not uncommon. Some techniques (e.g. cause-and-effect analysis) have been applied extensively; others, such as design of experiments, have not been used accurately and completely and therefore cannot optimize quality. Taguchi’s method and control charts can enhance the quality of 3D-printed objects; however, these techniques require repetitive experimentation, which may not fit the work flow of 3D printing.

Because quality issues may discourage customers from buying 3D-printed products, enhancing 3D printing quality is imperative. In addition, 3D printing can be used to manufacture diverse products with a reduced investment in machines, tools, assembly and materials. Production economics issues can be addressed by successfully implementing QC.