Tribological Behaviour of Aluminium/Alumina/Graphite Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite Using Taguchi’s Techniques

Tribological behaviour of aluminium alloy (Al-Si10Mg) reinforced with alumina (9%) and graphite (3%) fabricated by stir casting process was investigated. The wear and frictional properties of the hybrid metal matrix composites was studied by performing dry sliding wear test using a pin-on-disc wear tester. Experiments were conducted based on the plan of experiments generated through Taguchi’s technique. A L27 Orthogonal array was selected for analysis of the data. Investigation to find the influence of applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance on wear rate, as well as the coefficient of friction during wearing process was carried out using ANOVA and regression equations for each response were developed. Objective of the model was chosen as ‘smaller the better’ characteristics to analyse the dry sliding wear resistance. Results show that sliding distance has the highest influence followed by load and sliding speed. Finally, confirmation tests were carried out to verify the experimental results and Scanning Electron Microscopic studies were done on the wear surfaces.

Parameters Optimization for Piezoelectric Harvesting Energy from Pavement Based on Taguchi’s Orthogonal Experiment Design

To effectively harvest vibration energy from pavement without affecting driving comfort and safety, parameter optimization was done with the orthogonal experiment design and the finite element analysis. L16(44) Taguchi’s orthogonal experiments were carried out with planted depth, PZT material, PZT diameter and thickness as optimization parameters and with open voltage and pavement displacement as optimization objectives. The experiment results were obtained via the finite element method. By using range analysis method, the dominance degree of the influencing factors and the optimum condition was obtained for the two objectives, respectively. Further, the multi-objective optimization was performed based on a weight grade method. The combined optimum conditions in order of their dominance degree are PZT diameter 35 mm, PZT thickness 6 mm, planted depth 50 mm and material PZT4. The validity of optimization scheme was confirmed.

Cymbal Structural Optimization for Improving Piezoelectric Harvesting Efficiency with Taguchi’s Orthogonal Experiment

To improve piezoelectric harvesting efficiency of Cymbal, optimization design of Cymbal parameters was studied with the method of Taguchi’s orthogonal experiment. The effective factors of piezoelectric harvesting property were firstly analyzed. The orthogonal experiment schedule was then designed. The finite element model of Cymbal was built via ASPL tool in ANSYS software and static analysis was done. The experimental results were gotten with developed program. The optimization level of each factor was gained. Under the synthetical optimization level of each design factor, the piezoelectric analysis was tested and the open voltage of 236.476 V was revealed with improving 35.73% than the maximum voltage of 174.228 V in the orthogonal experiment. The average voltage of 229.98 V was measured with the manufactured optimized Cymbal structure design. The relative error was 2.54% between simulation and measured data. It indicated that the optimization design schedule was reasonable. Cymbal harvester with the optimized parameters could scavenge larger voltage.

Utilization of Industrial Waste Slag as Aggregate in Concrete Applications by Adopting Taguchi’s Approach for Optimization

This paper presents result of an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate effects of replacing aggregates (coarse & fine) with that of Slag (Crystallized & Granular) which is an industrial waste by-product on concrete strength properties by using Taguchi’s approach of optimization. Whole study was done in three phases, in the first phase natural coarse aggregate was replaced by crystallized slag coarse aggregate keeping fine aggregate (natural sand) common in all the mixes, in the second phase fine aggregate (natural sand) was replaced by granular slag keeping natural coarse aggregate common in all the mixes and in the third phase both the aggregates were replaced by crystallized & granular aggregates. The study concluded that compressive strength of concrete improved almost all the % replacements of normal crushed coarse aggregate with crystallized slag by 5% to 7%. In case of replacements of fine aggregate and both type of aggregates, the strength improvements were notably noticed at 30% to 50% replacement level. It could also be said that full substitution of slag aggregate with normal crushed coarse aggregate improved the flexure and split tensile strength by 6% to 8% at all replacements and in case of replacing fine aggregate & both the aggregates( Fine & coarse) with slag, the strength improvement was at 30% to 50% replacements. It is evident from the investigation that Taguchi approach for optimization helped in indentifying the factors affecting the final outcomes. Based on the overall observations, it could be recommended that Slag could be effectively utilized as coarse & fine aggregates in all concrete applications.

Application of Taguchi’s Orthogonal Array in Multi Response Optimization of NO_xEmission of Crude Rice Bran Oil Methyl Ester Blend as a CI Engine Fuel

In this work an attempt was made to minimize the NOx emission of a crude rice bran oil methyl ester (CRBME) blend with less sacrifice on smoke density and brake thermal efficiency. Three factors namely fuel injection timing, percentage EGR and fuel injection pressure were chosen as the influencing factors for the set objective. Experiments were designed by employing design of experiments method and Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array was used to test the engine. MRSN ratio was calculated for the response variables and the optimum combination level of factors was obtained simultaneously using Taguchi’s parametric design. ANOVA was employed to analyze the variance of MRSN and the most influencing factor for the set objective was taken from the ANOVA table. Obtained combination was confirmed experimentally and significant improvement was observed in the response variables.

Characterization of Unsaturated Polyester Filled with Waste Coconut Shells, Walnut Shells, and Carbon Fibers

This study aims to evaluate the erosion behavior and the hardness of hybrid composites made of varying amounts of coconut shells,walnut shells,and carbonfibers dispersed in a polyester matrix.MINITAB(L16)Taguchi experiments were used to determine the optimal combination of parameters.In particular,an erosion device con-sisting of a motor with a constantflow rate of 45 L/min,a pump with a diameter of 40 mm,a nozzle with a dia-meter of 5 mm,and a tank made of“perspex glass”55 cm long,30 cm tall,and 25 cm wide was used.The tests were conducted by varying the sample-to-nozzle distance,the pattern angle,and the sand particle size.The results have revealed that the presence of 7.5%by weight of waste coconut shell,for conditions corresponding to 90°angle,sand size 425μm,stand distance 30 cm,gives the best wear resistance(3.04×10^(-5) g/g).Thefiller content and sand particle size affect the erosive rate,with the angle playing a secondary role.The distance between the sample and the nozzle has a weaker effect on erosive wear.The hardness results show that the models(UP-5%carbonfiber-2.5-3.5-4.5-5.5-6.5-7.5 wt.%waste coconut shell)give the best values for prayer compared to the samples(UP-5 wt.%carbonfiber-2.5-3.5-4.5-5.5-6.5-7.5 wt.%waste walnut shell).

Selection of the Optimal Cooling Parameters to the Multi-Cavity Die

This study is subject to the finite element and abd uc tive network method application in the multi-cavity die. In order to select the optimal cooling system parameters to minimize the warp of a die-casting die, t he Taguchi’s method and the abductive network are used. These methods are appli ed to create an efficient model with functional nodes for the considered problem . Once the cooling system parameters are developed, this network can be used to predict the warp for the die-casting die accurately. A simulated annealing (SA) optimization algorithm with a performance index is then applied to the neur al network for searching the optimal cooling system parameters, and obtain rathe r satisfactory result as compared with the corresponding finite element veri fication.

Simultaneous Optimization of Correlated Multiple Surface Quality Characteristics of Mild Steel Turned Product

Present work highlights application of utility theory combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Taguchi’s robust design for simultaneous optimization of correlated multiple surface quality characteristics of mild steel machined product prepared by straight turning operation. The study aims at evaluating the most favorable process environment followed by an optimal parametric combination for achieving high surface quality. Traditional Taguchi based hybrid optimization approaches rely on the assumption that quality indices are uncorrelated or independent. But it is felt that, in practice, there may be some correlation among various quality indices (responses) under consideration. To overcome this limitation of Taguchi approach, the present study proposes application of PCA to convert correlated responses into uncorrelated quality indices called principal components. Finally based on utility theory, Taguchi method has been applied to solve this optimization problem. The study demonstrates detailed methodology and concludes robustness and flexibility of the proposed optimization technique and validates its effectiveness through a case study in which correlated multiple response characteristics of turning operation have been optimized.

Batch, Fed Batch Production and Characterization of Glutaminase Free L-Asparaginase II of <i>Pectobacterium carotovorum</i>MTCC 1428 in <i>Escherichia coli</i>

The present study describes the production optimization of recombinant L-asparaginase II of Pectobacterium carotovorum MTCC 1428 in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) at batch and fed batch bioreactor level. Production of recombinant L-asparaginase II in batch and fed batch mode was found to be 1.34 and 5.38 folds higher, respectively as compared to shake flask culture. SDS-PAGE and native PAGE of the purified enzyme revealed that molecular mass of the subunits and native enzyme are ~37.5 kDa and ~150 kDa, respectively. Optimum range of pH and temperature for hydrolysis of L-asparagine were found to be 7.5 - 8.5 and 47°C - 52°C, respectively. The recombinant enzyme is very specific for its natural substrate, L-asparagine. The activity of recombinant L-asparaginase II is improved by mono cations and diverse effectors including Na+, K+, L-cystine, L-histidine, glutathione and 2-mercaptoethanol whereas, it is moderately inhibited by different divalent cations and thiol group blocking reagent. The kinetic parameters Km, Vmax, kcat and Km/Kcat of purified recombinant L-asparaginase II were determined. The purified L-asparaginase II possesses no partial glutaminase activity, which is prerequisite to reduce the possibility of side effects during the course of anti-cancer therapy.

Effect of stacking sequence on physical, mechanical and tribological properties of glass-carbon hybrid composites

A study was done to determine the effect of best stacking sequence(position and orientation)on the mechanical properties,friction and wear response of hybrid composites.The main purpose of the study was to determine the best available stacking sequence for which the physical,mechanical and three body abrasive wear rate is optimum.Test for mechanical properties(tensile strength,flexural strength,inter laminar shear strength,impact strength and hardness)was done on glass-carbon hybrid composites.The composites were then subjected to test for three body abrasive wear on a designed experimental setup.Five different factors(sliding velocity,fabric weight percentage,normal load,sliding distance and abrasive particle size)varied in steps to evaluate the friction and three body abrasive wear response of the composites.The design of experiment using Taguchi’s orthogonal array and analysis of variance(ANOVA)was applied to find out minimum specific wear rate.The results revealed the significance in arrangement of two different layers of fabric(glass and carbon)and the difference in properties obtained by them.Using Taguchi experimental analysis it has been observed that three body abrasive wear rate is minimum at 72 cm/s sliding velocity,30 wt.%fabric content,80 N normal load,90 m sliding distance and 125μm abrasive particle size.The scanning electron microscope(SEM)studies revealed the dynamics of three‐body abrasive wear and underlying micro‐mechanisms that result in the analysis of three body abrasive wear.

Simultaneous determination of manufacturer’s process mean and production run length,and retailer’s order quantity

In Chen and Liu’s optimum profit model with a traditional production system,they did not consider the effect of product quality on the customer’s demand order quantity,and also ignored the used cost of customers for product.In fact,the customer’s demand quantity is always seriously related to product quality.Hence,in the present paper,we modify Chen and Liu’s model to address the determination of the optimal process parameters by employing the idea of quality loss and single sampling rectifying inspection plan.Assuming that the quality characteristic of the product is normally distributed,Taguchi’s symmetric quadratic quality loss function is applied in evaluating the product quality.Three decision variables,i.e.,the mean of the process characteristic,the production run length of the product and the retailer’s order quantity,are jointly determined in our modified model to maximize the expected total profit of society,which includes both the manufacturer and the retailer.A heuristic solution procedure is developed for this optimization problem,and a numerical example is provided for illustration.From the numerical results,it can be seen that both the sale price per unit and the intercept of the mean demand of the customer are two major(or significant)parameters in the model and should be more accurately estimated in practice.Finally,the quality investment policy is provided to compare its effect on the optimum profit model with quality improvement.

Simultaneous settings of order quantity,wholesale price,production run length,process mean,and warranty period

In this article,the authors propose a modified version of S.L.Chen and Liu’s model with a two-stage production system.Assume that the retailer’s order quantity is concerned with the manufacturer’s selling price and the warranty period of product.The used cost of the customer is measured under the Taguchi’s quadratic quality loss function and concluded in the retailer’s profit function.The quality of the lot for the manufacturer is determined by adopting a two-stage single sampling rectifying inspection plan.The modified economic manufacturing quantity(EMQ)model is addressed in formulating the manufacturer’s expected profit.The retailer’s order quantity,manufacturer’s wholesale price,production run length,process mean,and warranty period of product will be jointly determined by maximizing the total expected profit of the supply chain system including the manufacturer and the retailer.Finally,the quality investment policy is introduced to illustrate the profit improvement for the supply chain system.