The research presents an analysis and comparison of the Taguchi Design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in optimizing the laser cutting machine parameters on dimension accuracy for stainless steel products. The paper studies effects of input factors such as cutting speed, nitrogen pressure, power, and frequency on the quality cutting of stainless steel (304) specimens. In this paper, two objectives are examined: targeting laser-cut edge to perpendicular 90 degrees and maximizing the cutting accuracy. The paper proposes a simple formula to optimize both targets by minimizing one new function definition, i.e., dimensional error. An L9 orthogonal array of Taguchi Methodology is adopted to minimize the number of experiments and shorten analysis time to achieve the optimal parameters. These results are compared with RSM. Box–Behnken Design (BBD) type of RSM requires more experiments than the Taguchi approach. RSM regression models as the quadratic functions of the control factors are developed to minimize the dimensional error of cutting products. Then, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and graphs will be analyzed to determine the influences of variables on the responses. Both Taguchi’s method and RSM found that the most influential factor on dimension accuracy is cutting speed, followed by laser power. While Taguchi provides good graphic visualization for quickly predicting the optimum condition, it cannot examine the interaction effects as RSM due to the lack of data. Besides, RSM reveals the percentage contribution of factors on dimensional error. Cutting speed has a maximum contribution, i.e., 39% of the total. The interaction of cutting speed and power contributes 16% of the total. In this study, RSM can predict optimum conditions more accurately than Taguchi. There are misleading results from the Taguchi method compared with RSM. However, the difference between these objective values is insignificant. The validation experiments show that the Taguchi method can be a practical approach for optimization problems. It can help reduce cost and time and achieve the desired optimal outputs. With cutting problems requiring high precision, the RSM method is highly recommended for identifying optimal parameter settings and interaction effects. With problems that their experimental runs consume high cost and time, Taguchi can be a suitable method for screening the significant variables. Although Taguchi and RSM are used widely for optimization problems in many fields, choosing the right methodology for various objectives is still a concern with different arguments and needs further research. Therefore, this study could be an adequate reference for parameter optimization problems in various fields.
The present work used ANFIS, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system modeling to analyze the effect of the variable parameters of helically pierced twisted tape inserts on the Nusselt number, friction factor, and thermo-hydraulic heat exchanger tube performance. The experimental data utilized for ANFIS modeling considered a diameter ratio ranging from 0.57 to 0.80, a relative pitch ratio ranging from 0.046 to 0.107, a perforation index ranging from 5% to 20% as variable twisted tape parameters and flow parameters. The Reynolds number varies from 4000 to 30000. The analysis showed that the maximum thermo-hydraulic performance was obtained at a diameter ratio of 0.65, a relative pitch ratio of 0.085, and a perforation index equal to 10%. The result predicts that the ANFIS model and experimental results are in good agreement as they have only ±0.53% deviations.
In small apparel manufacturing, unit price determination is often based on production duration given by customers and design complexity rather than information relating to internal labor resources. However, labor expertise and skills are critical factors that outweigh the machinery and technology in small and medium apparel companies. The quality of the product greatly depends on the experience and delicacy of the tailors. Using data on labor skill and wage levels in the planning process will benefit human resource utilization, increasing productivity, and profits effectively. This paper proposes a general mathematical model for task allocation and cost optimization for small and medium apparel companies. The model handles task allocation and cost minimization problems that must ensure processing time requirements and balance workloads for operators. The developed model tests two case studies in a published paper. The results prove that although the proposed model is simple, it has high applicability and efficiency in solving allocation optimization problems. The authors then integrate the formulations into a Standalone desktop app in the MATLAB “App designer” module. With a standalone desktop app, end users can enjoy the application. This app has a user-friendly design. Users unfamiliar with computers or planners with no background in programming can use the app to tackle similar optimization problems. The proposed mathematical model can further expand to include more complex issues in apparel companies and can also be a good reference for other fields.
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