Application of the Taguchi method for parameter optimization of the surface grinding process

Abstract Grinding is a manufacturing process with unsteady process behavior, whose complex characteristics determine the technological output and quality. In the present study, the Taguchi method, which is a powerful tool for design optimization for quality, is used to find the optimal surface roughness for surface grinding operations. Nine experimental runs based on an orthogonal array of Taguchi method are performed to derive objective functions to be optimized within experimental domain. An orthogonal array, the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed to investigate the surface roughness characteristics of AISI 1050 steel plates using EKR36K, EKR46K and EKR60K grinding wheels. With this study, not only can the optimal surface roughness for grinding operations be obtained, but also the main grinding parameters that affect the performance in grinding operations. The experimental results confirmed the validity of the used Taguchi method for enhancing the surface grin...