Multi-attribute decision making green electrical discharge machining

(BQ) This paper aims to develop a combination of Taguchi and fuzzy TOPSIS methods to solve multi-response parameter optimization problems in green manufacturing.
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Multi-attribute decision making green electrical discharge machiningExpert Systems with Applications 38 (2011) 8370–8374Contents lists available at ScienceDirectExpert Systems with Applicationsjournal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/eswaMulti-attribute decision making for green electrical discharge machiningS.P. Sivapirakasam a,⇑, Jose Mathew a, M. Surianarayanan baDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, IndiabCISRA, Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, Indiaa r t i c l ei n f oKeywords:EDMTOPSISGreen manufacturingMulti-attribute decision makingA high carbon highchromium tool steela b s t r a c tThis paper aims to develop a combination of Taguchi and fuzzy TOPSIS methods to solve multi-responseparameter optimization problems in green manufacturing. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), a commonly used non-traditional manufacturing process was considered in this study. A decision makingmodel for the selection of process parameters in order to achieve green EDM was developed. An experimental investigation was carried out based on Taguchi L9 orthogonal array to analyze the sensitivity ofgreen manufacturing attributes to the variations in process parameters such as peak current, pulse duration, dielectric level and flushing pressure. Weighing factors for the output responses were determinedusing triangular fuzzy numbers and the most desirable factor level combinations were selected basedon TOPSIS technique. The model developed in this study can be used as a systematic framework forparameter optimization in environmentally conscious manufacturing processes.Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.1. IntroductionManufacturing processes generate large amounts of various solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes. Apart from the generation of waste,the manufacturing process is considered to be an energy intensiveactivity, which also indirectly affects the environment. Implementation of stringent government regulations and growing publicawareness made the environmental issues in the processes oneof the most important topics in strategic manufacturing decisions(Sheng & Srinivasan, 1995). Green manufacturing is an advancedmanufacturing mode, aiming at improving the efficiency of theprocess as well as minimization of environmental impact and resource consumption during the manufacturing process (Tan, Liu,Cao, & Zhang, 2002).Die sinking Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is one of themost popular non-traditional manufacturing processes suitablefor machining very hard and brittle materials. Recent advances inthe EDM technology made it a valuable and viable process in themanufacturing of critical parts such as aerospace and aeronauticalcomponents. Despite its advantages the EDM is considered as ahazardous process in which large amounts of toxic solid and liquidwastes and exhaust gas are discharged, resulting in serious occupational and environmental problems (Tonshoff, Egger, & Klocke,1996). High discharge energies of this process can lead to the arising of a number of reaction-products of the dielectric, which canemit from its surface as aerosols or gases. Apart from the air emissions, hazardous substances can also concentrate in the slurry and⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 431 2503408; fax: +91 431 2503402.E-mail address: spshivam@nitt.edu (S.P. Sivapirakasam).0957-4174/$ - see front matter Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2011.01.026dielectric itself. These toxic substances can enter the body of operating personnel through ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. Theperformance characteristics of this process and the amount ofwaste generated from it are strongly influenced by the processparameters. Thus optimization of process parameters is an essential requirement to achieve green EDM.The selection of optimum process parameters to achieve greenmanufacturing involves contradictory criteria which necessitatesthe implementation of sophisticated Multi-Attribute DecisionMaking (MADM) methods. Analytic Hierarchic Process (AHP)(Saaty, 1980), Technique for Order Preference by Simulation ofIdeal Solution (TOPSIS) (Hwang & Yoon, 1981), VIKOR (Tong, Chen,& Wang, 2007) and gray relational analysis (Deng, 1989) are theMADM techniques normally employed in solving engineeringproblems. Several researchers used these techniques in environmental impact assessment and green manufacturing (Kuo, Chang,& Huang, 2006; Tesfamariam & Sadiq, 2006). Yeo and New(1999) used a prioritization matrix for dielectric selection in adie sinking EDM process. However, no reported literature on theoptimization of process parameters for green EDM is available.Among the MADM methods TOPSIS, which can handle multi-response problems with both continuous and discrete data, is themost suitable technique in manufacturing applications (Tong &Su, 1997). The basic philo ...