Cutting Parameters Optimization for Surface Roughness in Turning Operation of Polyethylene (PE) Using Taguchi Method

In any machining process, it is most important to determine the optimal settings of machining parameters aiming at reduction of production costs and achieving the desired product quality. This paper discusses the use of Taguchi method for minimizing the surface roughness in turning polyethylene. The influence of four cutting parameters, cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut, and tool nose radius on average surface roughness (Ra ) was analyzed on the basis of the standard L27 Taguchi orthogonal array. The experimental results were then collected and analyzed with the help of the commercial software package MINITAB. Based on the analysis of means (ANOM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA), the optimal cutting parameter settings are determined, as well as level of importance of the cutting parameters.