Optimization of CNC End Milling using Hybrid Taguchi Method using Principal Components Analysis and Utility Theory

In order to improve the quality and productivity the present study highlights the optimization of CNC end milling process parameters to provide a good surface finish. Surface finish has been identified as one of the main quality attributes and is directly related to the productivity of a machine. In this paper an attempt has been made to optimize the process such that the best surface roughness value can be obtained in a process. Hence a multi objective optimization problem has been obtained which can be solved by the hybrid Taguchi method comprising of principal components analysis as well as by utility theory. In this work, Individual response correlation has been eliminated first by mean of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to meet the basic assumption of Taguchi method. Correlated responses have been transformed into uncorrelated quality indices called as principal components. Quality loss estimates have been calculated from the principal components and the utility values are found out for the same. Then the overall utility index has been calculated. Finally, Taguchi method has been used to solve the optimization problem.