Multi characteristic optimization of high-speed machining of GFRP laminate by hybrid Taguchi desirability approach

Abstract

The favourable mechanical properties of Glass-fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite (GFRPC) enable their use in advanced aerospace structures. Research outcomes suggest that high-speed drilling is as an exceptional method for reducing delamination and improving the productivity. The objective of this paper is to optimise the drilling conditions with multi-performance characteristics with hybrid Taguchi desirability approach. The experiments carried out using Taguchi’s L9 3 level orthogonal array. Input machining conditions are feed rate, and spindle speed, and the responses are thrust force, torque, delamination at both the entry and the exit of the hole, and hole diameter. Results revealed that high spindle speeds and low feed rated increase the delamination and hole diameter. But high spindle speeds with low feed rates reduced the thrust force and torque. The optimization results revealed that optimal machining conditions are the speed at 12,000 rpm and feed at 3 mm/min for achieving minimum torque, thrust force, delamination and hole diameter values simultaneously. The spindle speed has greater influence than feed rate on drilling performance.