Application of Grey Taguchi-based response surface methodology (GT-RSM) for optimizing the plasma arc cutting parameters of 304L stainless steel

Abstract

Plasma arc cutting (PAC) is a highly promising thermal cutting process because of its wide industrial applications involving cutting of different materials at high speeds. The competing abilities of PAC with laser cutting combined with its less polluting nature have shifted the research attention towards the process. The cutting parameters like arc current, torch stand-off, cutting speed and gas pressure play an important role in determining the quality of a cut surface. In the present work, the quality characteristics of the cut surface were assessed by measuring the surface roughness and kerf width while cutting the 304 L stainless steel. The experimental trials were designed by Taguchi’s L18 orthogonal array unlike the central composite design used with traditional response surface methodology (RSM), and an integrated approach of Grey Taguchi-based response surface methodology (GT-RSM) was disclosed for predicting the optimal combination of cutting parameters. The GT-RSM approach was found to improve the quality characteristics studied in the work significantly. The results will offer a good cutting database for the textile, chemical and pharmaceutical processing industries.