Optimization of CNC CO2 Laser Cutting Process Parameters on Acrylic Cutting Using Taguchi Grey Relational Analysis and Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Abstract Polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic) has some important characteristics such as light weight, impact-resistant, and high durability. In a manufacturing industry, acrylic has been widely used as the basic material for billboard products, decorative lights, canopies, and room decorations. This research aims at determining the optimal process parameters of the laser cutting process. The experiment was conducted using multi-response Taguchi method involving four responses, namely processing time, dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, and carbon emissions. The Taguchi method is used to determine the Signal to Noise (SNR) for each response. The Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) method is performed by calculating the normalized weight of SNR for each response to determine the optimal setting level of each factor applied in the experiment. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to determine the mathematical model based on the results of the experiment to allow the multi-objective optimization and determine the exact value of optimal process parameters which simultaneously compromise all the responses. Based on the results of the experiment, the optimal process parameters are 65% of the laser power, 4 mm/s of the cutting speed, and 4 mm of nozzle distance. Whereas from the results multi-objective optimization, the optimal process parameters are 75% of laser power, 5.9 mm/s of cutting speed, and 3mm of nozzle distance.