The Case of the Variable Laminates - Essay Example

The Case of Variable Laminates In the current scenario, there are three major experimental variables that need to be investigated simultaneously for their effect on process outcome. These variables are soak time, soak temperature and knife pressure. Knife setting is being left out since it has no discernible impact on process output. The typical operating ranges for these parameters are outlined in the table shown below.Soak Time (minutes)Soak Temperature (oC)Knife Pressure (psi)3015025060200300Operating Range305050A rational approach for enhanced process control would be to investigate these parameters such that for each experiment each variable’s operating range is divided by 5 to reveal a sizable increment.

This would indicate that soaking time is incremented by 6 minutes, soaking temperature by 10oC and knife pressure by 10 psi. The resulting Taguchi experimental design orthogonal array would assume the form shown in the Appendix. The total number of experiments required would be 36.The thickness measurements are previously being made at every 15 minutes but a greater frequency for soaking time has been defined in order to ensure that process control experimentation resolution is enhanced. The contention in running these experimental runs is to measure the resulting laminate thickness.

Once laminate thickness has been tabulated against each experimental run, statistical methods can be used to determine the optimal running conditions. Multiple combinations of operating parameters may produce the desired thickness so other factors such as power consumption may be used to decipher the final operating conditions.AppendixExperiment NumberSoak Time (minutes)Soak Temperature (oC)Knife Pressure (psi)130150250230160260330170270430180280530190290630200300736150250836160260936170270103618028011361902901236200300134215025014421602601542170270164218028017421902901842200300194815025020481602602148170270224818028023481902902448200300255415025026541602602754170270285418028029541902903054200300316015025032601602603360170270346018028035601902903660200300