Abstract:
This study presents the application of the Taguchi method, a powerful tool to process optimization for quality, to find the optimal process parameters for Fused-deposition Modeling (FDM) rapid prototyping machine that was used to produce flexible Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) bow and arrow prototype. In order to achieve optimum performance of the bow so as to obtain the maximum throwing distance of the arrow from it, Orthogonal Array (OA), main effect analysis, signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed to investigate the process parameters. Through this study, not only can the optimal FDM parameter combinations to be obtained, but also the main process parameters that affect the performance of the prototype can be found. Experiments were carried out to confirm the effectiveness of this approach. From the results, it is found that FDM parameters, especially air gap, slice height and raster angle have the most significant impact on the elastic performance of the flexible ABS prototype. The optimum levels of parameters at different angle of displacement of the bow are also presented.
J. Laeng, Zahid A. Khan and S.Y. Khu, 2006. Optimizing Flexible Behaviour of Bow Prototype Using Taguchi Approach. Journal of Applied Sciences, 6: 622-630.
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