Optimization of High-Pressure Laminate Manufacturing Process by Taguchi Method

Abstract

The manufacturing process of High-Pressure Laminates was investigated using a strong optimization tool, the Taguchi method. High pressure laminates consist of various types. Each type has specific manufacturing process and uses. One of the utmost and crucial types of High-Pressure Laminate is Electrical Bakelite Sheet or industrial grade sheet. Electrical Bakelite Sheet is mainly used in Transformer as an insulated material. The Taguchi method was used to enhance the quality of the product and optimized the manufacturing process of Electrical Bakelite Sheet. Baking Time, Temperature, Resin Content, Pressure and Volatile Content are factors of industrial grade sheet manufacturing process and responses of these factors are electrical Insulation and thickness. Optimal value of these factors for the process are obtained through Taguchi method and found experimentally. As a result, the Taguchi technique is used to explore the effects of various electrical Bakelite Sheet parameters on responses such as electrical insulation and thickness. Pressure, Temperature, Volatile Content, Resin Content, and Baking Time are the factors which should be considered for the experiment. The Taguchi L27 orthogonal array is used for testing. The significant factors for responses of the electrical Bakelite Sheet are identified using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Determination of the significant factors value resulted in best achieving yield of the product.