Title: Analysis on abrasive waterjet cutting of glazed vitreous tiles using Taguchi-based RSM

Authors: M. Santhanakumar; R. Adalarasan; M. Rajmohan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha Engineering College, Chennai-602105, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha Engineering College, Chennai-602105, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai-600025, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: The present work focussed on probing the effect of abrasive waterjet cutting (AWJC) process parameters (abrasive flow rate, jet traverse rate, nozzle diameter, water pressure and stand-off distance) on surface roughness and taper angle while handling glazed vitreous tiles. The quality characteristics (surface roughness and taper angle of cut) were observed during the cutting trials designed as per Taguchi's L1₈ orthogonal array. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images and P-profile plots were also examined for the cut surfaces. An integrated approach of average signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio-based response surface methodology (ASN-RSM) was disclosed for parameter design. The confirmation test conducted with the near optimal setting had proved the effectiveness of the ASN-RSM approach in optimising the cutting characteristics of glazed vitreous tiles.

Keywords: abrasive waterjet; cutting; response surface methodology; RSM; glazed vitreous tile; roughness; Taguchi; P-profile plot.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2017.088456

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2017 Vol.31 No.5, pp.472 - 489

Received: 16 Nov 2015
Accepted: 20 Jan 2016
Published online: 11 Dec 2017 *

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