Optimizing the Glass Fiber Cutting Process Using the Taguchi Methods and Grey Relational Analysis

Chao-Lieh Yang

.

DOI: 10.4236/njgc.2011.11003                

Abstract

This paper mainly describes a new approach to optimizing of the cutting glass fiber with multiple performance characteristics, based on reliability analysis, Taguchi and Grey methods. During the cutting process, the speed, the volume and the cutting load are optimized cutting parameters when the performance characteristics, which include Weibull modulus and blade wear, are taken into consideration. In this paper, optimization with multiple performance characteristics is found to be the highest cutting speed and the smallest cutting volume, and the medium cutting load. An analysis of the variance of the blade wear indicates that the cutting speed (47.21%), the cutting volume (14.62%) and the cutting load (12.20%) are the most significant parameters in the cutting process of glass fibers. In summary, the most optimal cutting parameter should be A3B1C2. The results of experiments have shown that the multiple performance characteristics of cutting glass fiber are improved effectively through this approach.

Keywords

Blade Wear, Cutting, Glass Fiber, Grey Relational Analysis, Optimizing, Taguchi Methods

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	S. O. An, E. S. Lee and S. L. Noh, “A Study on the Cutting Characteristics of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics with Respect to Tool Materials and Geometries,” Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 68, No. 1, 1997, pp. 60-67. doi:10.1016/S0924-0136(96)02534-4
[2]	K. H. Lau, D. Mei, C. F. Yeung and H. C. Man, “Wear Characteristics and Mechanisms of a Thin Edge Cutting Blade, “Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 102, No. 1-3, 2000, pp. 203-207. doi:10.1016/S0924-0136(99)00410-0
[3]	S. L. Casto, E. L. Valvo, E. Lucchini, S. Maschio and V. F. Ruisi, “Wear Rates and Wear Mechanisms of Alumina-Based Tools Cutting Steel at a Low Cutting Speed,” Wear, Vol. 208, No. 1-2, 1997, pp. 67-72. doi:10.1016/S0043-1648(96)07376-0
[4]	C. L. Yang, S. H. Sheu and K.T. Yu, “The Reliability Analysis of a Thin-Edge Blade Wear in the Glass Fiber Cutting Process,” Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 209, No. 4, 2009, pp. 1789-1795. doi:10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2008.04.028
[5]	W. S. Lin, “The Reliability Analysis of Cutting Tools in the HSM Processes,” Archives of Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 30, No. 2, 2008, pp. 97-100.
[6]	Z. Klim, E. Ennajimi, M. Balazinski and C. Fortin, “Cutting Tool Reliability Analysis for Variable Feed Milling of 17-4PH Stainless Steel,” Wear, Vol. 195, No. 1-2, 1996, pp. 206-213. doi:10.1016/0043-1648(95)06863-5
[7]	P. J. Ross, “Taguchi Techniques for Quality Engineering,” McGraw-Hill Book Company Press, New York, 1996.
[8]	J. Kang and M. Hadfield, “Parameter Optimization by Taguchi Methods for Finishing Advanced Ceramic Balls Using a Novel Eccentric Lapping Machine,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, Vol. 215, No. 1, 2001, pp. 69-78. doi:10.1243/0954405011515145
[9]	T. R. Lin, “The Use of Reliability in the Taguchi Method for the Optimization of the Polishing Ceramic Gauge Block,” The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 22, No. 3-4, 2003, pp. 237-242. doi:10.1007/s00170-002-1465-1
[10]	J. T. Huang and Y. S. Liao, “Optimization of Machining Parameters of Wire-EDM Based on Grey Relational and Statistical Analyses,” International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 41, No. 8, 2003, pp. 1707-1720. doi:10.1080/1352816031000074973
[11]	S. H. Chang, J. R. Hwang and J. L. Doong, “Optimization of the Injection Molding Process of Short Glass Fiber Reinforced Polycarbonate Composites Using Grey Relational Analysis,” Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 97, No. 1-3, 2000, pp. 186-193. doi:10.1016/S0924-0136(99)00375-1
[12]	J. L. Lin and C. L. Lin, “The Use of the Orthogonal Array with Grey Relational Analysis to Optimize the Electrical Discharge Machining Process with Multiple Performance Characteristics,” International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, Vol. 42, No. 2, 2002, pp. 237-244. doi:10.1016/S0890-6955(01)00107-9
[13]	J. L. Deng, “Introduction to Grey System Theory,” Journal of Grey System, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1989, pp.1-24.
[14]	C. L. Lin, “Use of the Taguchi Method and Grey Relational Analysis to Optimize Turning Operations with Multiple Performance Characteristics,” Materials and Manufacturing Processes, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2004, pp. 209-220. doi:10.1081/AMP-120029852
[15]	T. R. Lin, H. C. Chiu and M. F. Huang, “Optimizing Removal Rate and Reliability of Polishing of Ceramic Blocks Using a Combination of Taguchi and Grey Method,” Institute of Materials Minerals an Mining, August 2004.
[16]	J. E. Shigley, C. R. Mischke and R. G. Budynas, “Mechanical Engineering Design,” 7th Edition, McGraw-Hill Press, New York, 2003.
[17]	M. C. Shaw, “Metal Cutting Principles,” Oxford Science Press, New York, 2004.
[18]	K. L. Wen, Y. W. Huang, W. C. Chung, T. C. Chung, M. L. You and C. J. Lai, “Method and Application of Grey Model,” Gau-Lih Press, Taipei, 2003.