Application of Mahalanobis-Taguchi System on Crankshaft as Remanufacturing Automotive Part: A Case Study

Abstract

While the concept of remanufacturing, especially on automotive parts is gaining in popularity, in practice the remanufacturing industry in Malaysia is still in its nascent stage, with approximately 32 fields in various industries claiming to be involved in the process. The Mahalanobis-Taguchi System (MTS) is a diagnostic method employing Mahalanobis Distance (MD) for recognizing different patterns in multivariate data. The aim of this work is to apply T method-3, which is one of the sub-methods under the MTS relating to the main journal diameter of the crankshaft. The method distinguishes between two distinct ranges of acceptable remanufacturing and non-remanufacturing processes. Furthermore, the method also categorizes various patterns of crankshaft based on their MD in unit space. The case study is performed in an automotive industry in Malaysia under a contract remanufacturing environment. The outcome of this work is expected to be the enhancement of the robustness of the remanufacturing system on pattern recognition to the company under study. As a result, the company is expected to save more time and energy in coming with faster decision-making. In addition, the study would provide greater inspiration, especially among researchers in aggressively applying MTS applications to a wider variety of industry sectors especially in the remanufacturing area.

Methadone Flexi Dispensing (MFlex) Intelligence System utilizing the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System

“…The average MD for a healthy is 1.0000, whereas an unhealthy one is 79.5876. Parameters 1,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,17,18,23,26,27,28,30,31,33,and 34 are all degree of contribution positively, whereas parameters 2, 5, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 29, and 32 are degree of contribution negatively. MTS was used to diagnosis 15 unknown samples in blood testing from the MFlex program.…”

“…The utilization of a parameter results in an increase in the production of MD when the degree of contribution is positive, while the utilization of a parameter results in a decrease in the output of MD when the degree of contribution is negative. As a result, parameters 1, 3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,17,18,23,26,27,28,30,31,33, and 34 contribute positively, whereas parameters 2, 5, 10, 13,14,15,16,19,20,21,22,24,25,29, and 32 contribute negatively. According to the findings of this study, in order to achieve a lower MD, it is recommended that the positive degree of contribution be increased while the negative degree of contribution remain unchanged.…”

“…[25] used MTS to the connecting rod's large end diameter to differentiate between two separate ranges in the remanufacturability process spectrum. [26] conducted a comprehensive examination of the data collected on the primary journal diameter of the crankshaft. [27] used MTS to create a scatter diagram that could help people make decisions in an industry.…”

“…The number should be positive.A calculation is made to determine the integrated estimate value of the unhealthy group by using the β and ŋ values for each parameter. A demonstration of how to compute the integrated estimate value is provided by Equation(26). It should be noted that the normalized value of each parameter is represented by the values xj1, xj2, …, xj6.…”

Application of the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System in Renal Profile of the Methadone Flexi Dispensing Program

“…Abu et al [27] applied MTS to the big-end diameter of connecting rod to distinguish between two distinct ranges within the remanufacturability process spectrum. Abu and Jamaludin [28] provided a systematic analysis of the data set on the main journal diameter of the crankshaft. Abu et al [29] provided a systematic pattern recognition using MTS by constructing a scatter diagram that could support decision making of a particular industry on 14 prominent journals of crankshaft belonging to 7 engine models with differrent numbers of samples.…”