Rotatable Central Composite Design of Experiments versus Taguchi Method in the Optimization of Turning

Many manufactured products require machining at some stage of their production sequence. Generally, machining ranges from relatively rough cleaning of castings to high-precision micromachining of mechanical components that require narrow tolerances. It is estimated that of all machining processes about 40% pertain to turning. Turning is the most common way for processing rotational (symmetrical or non-symmetrical, round or non-round) surfaces with single-point cutting tool 1 . Cutting force is the basic indicator of cutting process behaviour. Having knowledge of the cutting force function, the rational construction and economical efficiency of production systems, the optimization of machining process and the development of particular concepts for adaptively controlled manufacturing systems are ensured 2 . The aim of this research is to analyse dependence of the tangential component of cutting force Fc on three cutting parameters, namely the cutting speed vc, the feed f and the depth of cut ap, in the rough longitudinal turning operation and to find optimal level of the parameters. Two different experimental plans have been used: the rotatable central composite design and the Taguchi method. A comparison of results obtained by given experimental plans was carried out. Based on this comparison, valuable remarks about presented optimisation approaches are pointed out in the conclusion of this study.