PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION OF CENTRIFUGAL-MAGNETIC FORCE ASSISTED ABRASIVE FLOW MACHINING PROCESS USING UTILITY CONCEPT

Abstract

The traditional Taguchi method is widely used for optimizing the process parameters of a single response problem. Optimization of a single response results the non-optimum values for remaining. But, the performance of a machining process is often evaluated by several quality responses. Under such circumstances, multi-characteristics response optimization may be the solution to optimize multi-responses simultaneously. In the present work, a multi-characteristics response optimization model based on Taguchi and Utility concept is used to optimize process parameters, such as magnetic flux, rotational speed of CFG rod, shape of CFG rod, number of cycles, abrasive-to-iron ratio and abrasive particle size on multiple performance characteristics, namely, surface roughness (R a) and material removal (MR) during polishing of hollow cylindrical brass work-pieces with Centrifugal-Magnetic Force Assisted Abrasive Flow Machining (CMA 2 FM) Process. Taguchi's L 27 orthogonal array (OA) is selected for experimental planning. The ANOVA and F-tests are used to analyze the results. It is found that all the input parameters significantly improve the Utility function comprising of two quality characteristics (MR and %∆R a). Further, the confirmation tests are conducted and the results are found to be within the confidence interval.