Characteristic optimisation of dynamic process parameters in rapid solidified treatment

Abstract

The paper presents a Taguchi dynamic experiment applied in developing a robust, high efficiency electron beam surface hardening process (EBSH). In the present study, a two step parametric design is proposed with methodology using a non-linear system function. In the first step, the system function of the EBSH process is transformed into a linear function and then this model is applied to develop a robust heated treatment process that reduces the variability in maximising the S/N ratio for maximum robustness. In the second step, the ideal function is obtained by adjusting the sensitivity or the slope β of the linear function determined in the first step. The purpose is to adjust the product dimension EBSH machine using the optimised process parameters obtained in the two step design to achieve the desired dimension for the subsequent fine wear resistant surface processing. The results from the experiment show that using the Taguchi dynamic experimental non-linear system with the proposed two step design strategy is a simple, effective and efficient way to develop a robust, high efficiency EBSH process.