Multi-performance optimization of micro-drilling using Taguchi technique based on membership function

Abstract

Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) tends to be employed in the manufacture of aerospace industry, construction and costly sports cars, wherever robust and lightweight materials are needed. The present aims to evaluate and optimize the micro-drilling machining process on carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite material in terms of multiple performance characteristics of circularity and cylindricity errors. Micro-drilling tests based on Taguchi L₂₇ orthogonal array are carried out on CFRP laminates under varying cutting conditions of spindle speed, feed rate and drill diameters. The process outcomes are assessed in-terms of circularity and cylindricity errors. The influence and percentage contribution of process parameters are examined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Taguchi methodology supported by membership function is used for the optimization of the multiple responses transformed to the output of signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. The scope of the experimental design is to minimize circularity and cylindricity errors simultaneously. Confirmation tests are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid approach.