OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS IN DRILLING OF SMC COMPOSITES USING TAGUCHI METHOD

This paper has presented and discussed machinability in the drilling of SMC ( Sheet Mould Compound) A-Class composite materials using Taguchi's DoE method. The thrust forces, surface roughness and push-out - peel-up delamination behaviour in drilling process for glass fibre reinforced SMC composites have been evaluated. The experimental results and the contribution ratio of parameters on machinability outputs have been statistically analysed by ANOVA. Analysis of variance shows that drill bit angle is the prominent parameter followed by feed rate and cutting speed that contributes towards output responses. Confirmation experiments performed with the optimum parameter condition levels show a reduction in thrust force by 9,8 %, surface roughness by 33,3 %, push-out delamination by 2,5 % and peel-up delamination by 1,38 %. A detailed deformation analysis was investigated for SMC composites. For the empirical modelling of machinability, outputs of SMC composites can be modelled with the quadratic polynomial regression model in a higher range of accuracy.