SIMULTANEOUS OPTIMIZATION OF MULTIPLE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS IN GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING USING STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Optimization of Manufacturing Processes presents a significant challenge to modern day manufacturing industries as well as an opportunity to realize significant improvement in quality, cost and consistency of products. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding is one such manufacturing process which finds application in a wide array of industries but still optimized welding parameters are hard to be determined. This research investigation presents a review of various optimization techniques that have been developed over the years and applied by researchers for the optimization of different manufacturing processes. The review has been concluded with the selection of Taguchi optimization technique which is often the best suited method for GTAW process optimization in industrial environment. Experiments have been designed and conducted based on Taguchi optimization techniques, keeping in view the critical process parameters and required quality attributes. Results have been analyzed using ANOVA and optimum parameter values have been determined. Finally the process has been verified by conducting experiments at selected combination of optimal parameters.