The Application of Taguchi Technique in Mild Steel Weld Prediction and Optimization

Abstract

Welding is a key joining operation in many production and manufacturing industries, and it requires a scientific approach in obtaining a weld of high quality. This study focuses on the prediction and optimization of the weld parameters of a mild steel plate using Taguchi technique. For experimental examination, a mild steel plate of 10mm thickness, along with input process parameters such as weld current, arc voltage, gas flow rate, and output process parameter such as hardness were studied.  With the statistical tool, ANOVA, further analysis performed to determine the significance of the data obtained shows that for all the responses, a Model F-value of between 64 and 129.85 was obtained, along with a P-value less than 0.05, implying that the model is significant. Furthermore, based on statistical evidence using P-values, all the model terms; welding current, arc voltage and gas flow rate recorded significant contribution to the outcome of the welding experiment, with the weld current having the most significant effect. The optimal result for the responses was obtained 192BHN for the hardness, at a combined process parameters as follows; 200amps, 20v and 20lt/min for the weld current, arc voltage and gas flow rate respectively.