Systematic optimization for the evaluation of the microinjection molding parameters of light guide plate with TOPSIS-based Taguchi method

A back light module is a key product for providing sufficient light source for a liquid crystal display (LCD). The light guide plate (LGP), used to increase the light usage rate, is a key component in the back light module. This study researches the microinjection molding process parameters and the quality performance of the LGP. Its purpose was to develop a combining Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) with the Taguchi method. This is to optimize the multiquality performance of the LGP for the injection molding manufacturing process, in which both the LCD and the LGP spontaneously produce the best quality performance for V‐cut depth and angle. First, an L18 orthogonal array was planned for the manufacturing parameters that affect the microinjection molding process. These included cooling time, mold temperature, melt temperature, injection speed, injection pressure, packing pressure, packing switching, and packing time. The TOPSIS was used to deal with the single‐quality optimization disadvantage of the Taguchi method. Then, the TOPSIS response table was used to obtain the optimized manufacturing parameters combination for a multiresponse process optimization. From the analysis of variance, the significant factors for the quality performance of the LGP could be obtained. In other words, by controlling these factors, it was possible to efficiently control the quality performance of the LGP. Finally, with the five verified experiments, the optimized processing parameters came within a 95% confidence interval. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 29:54–63, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20181