RSW Process Parameters Optimization by Taguchi Method

Abstract

The paperpresents experimental investigation studies that were conducted under varying Resistance spot welding parameters such as electrode force, welding current and welding time in order to establish their influence on spot weld quality. The quality characteristics are shear tensile strength and direct tensile strength of the spot welded joint has been considered. The process parameters were optimized to improve the nugget quality characteristics. The approach is based on Taguchi method, the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed to study the performance characteristics in RSW process.The experimental data was extracted as per the the pattern of L 9 Orthogonal Array(OA).The data was analysed by using the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio to get optimum level of spot welding parameters combination.Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and F-test has been used for determining most significant parameters affecting the spot weld quality characteristics. Confirmation tests with optimal levels of RSW process parameters are conducted to validate the test results. Experimental results have shown that the responses in RSWprocess can be improved significantly through this approach.