Application of Taguchi methods in the optimization of the laser-cutting process

In this paper, the use of an overall figure-of-merit (FOM) function which integrates the weighted effects of the various quality characteristics of a laser-cut specimen and the cost components of a production environment is proposed. Taguchi methods and statistical techniques are used to formulate the experimental layout, to analyze the effect of each control factor on the results, and to predict the optimum setting for each control factor. A set of confirmatory experiments is then conducted to verify the estimated response. A Trumpf 2000 laser machine which incorporated a Rofin Sinar RS500 laser was used to cut 4.5 mm thickness low-carbon steel sheets. Five control factors were used in a modified L8 orthogonal array design. A high FOM was obtained using the treatment conditions of: beam power of 415 W, oxygen pressure of 0.12 MPa, focal position of 1 4 , focal length of 63.5 mm, and cutting speed of 0.8 m/min. The confirmatory experiments returned an average FOM value that lay within the 95% confidence interval.