Multi-objective optimisation of laser beam cutting process

This paper presents a hybrid Taguchi method and response surface method (TMRSM) for the multi-response optimisation of a laser beam cutting process. The approach first uses the Taguchi quality loss function to find the optimum level of input cutting parameters such as assist gas pressure, pulse width, pulse frequency and cutting speed. The optimum input parameter values are further used as the central values in the response surface method to develop and optimise the second-order response model. The two quality characteristics Kerf width (KW), and material removal rate (MRR), that are of different nature (KW is of the smaller-the-better type, while MRR is of the higher the better type), have been selected for simultaneous optimisation. The results show considerable improvement in both the quality characteristics when the hybrid approach is used, as compared the results of a. single approach. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.