Optimization of the Material Removal Rate in Turning of UD-GFRP using the Particle Swarm Optimization Technique

Abstract

In this paper the particle swarm optimization technique is applied to experimental results in order to optimize the turning of unidirectional glass fiber reinforced plastics composite with consideration to the material removal rate. Taguchi’s L18 orthogonal array is used to conduct experimentation. The parameters considered are tool nose radius, tool rake angle, feed rate, cutting speed, cutting environment (dry, wet, cooled) and depth of cut. ANOVA is used to find out significant parameters (feed rate, cutting speed and depth of cut). The most significant parameters are feed rate and cutting speed. The maximum value of material removal rate is found to be 394.33mm3 /sec., which is at feed rate (0.200 mm/rev), cutting speed (159.58 m/min) and depth of cut (1.3996 mm). PSO is an efficient and effective optimization tool for finding the optimum machining parameters for maximizing MRR. The results give a positive indication of the potential offered by PSO.