Optimization for sustainable manufacturing based on axiomatic design principles: a case study of machining processes

Abstract

Despite being a wasteful process, machining is often regarded as animportant manufacturing method due to the fact that it is a flexible andeconomic process. However, in order to gain more cost-saving andenhanced environmental performance, sustainability principles have to beincorporated into machining technologies. A step-wise optimizationprocedure is proposed based on axiomatic design (AD) principles foridentifying an optimized sustainable manufacturing solution thatcomprises combinations of minimum and maximum levels obtainable withinthe constraints involved (cutting condition, performance andsustainability). A case study involving three alternative processes(namely conventional machining, high pressure jet-assisted machining,and cryogenic machining) is presented for demonstrating the applicationof the proposed approach, which indicated that the suggested procedureis able to facilitate an optimization process by varying the designparameters (DPs) within a particular sequence. In the case study, ahybrid model consisting of crisp and fuzzy AD analysis techniques wasalso used for analysing the sustainability performances of the processesbeing considered. The hybrid model is able to point out the most viablemachining process that satisfies all the sustainable functionalrequirements (FRs) by using information content for indication purposes.(C) 2014 PEI, University of Maribor. All rights reserved.