Jadavpur University

About: Jadavpur University is a education organization based out in Kolkata, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Schiff base. The organization has 10856 authors who have published 27678 publications receiving 422069 citations. The organization is also known as: JU & Jadabpur University.

A combined TOPSIS-AHP-method-based approach for non-traditional machining processes selection

Abstract: With the introduction and increased use of newer and harder materials such astitanium, stainless steel, high-strength temperature-resistant (HSTR) alloys, fibre-reinforcedcomposites, and ceramics in the aerospace, nuclear, missile, turbine, automobile, tool, and die-making industries, a different class of machining processes has emerged. Instead of employingthe conventional cutting tools, these non-traditional machining (NTM) processes use energy inits direct form to remove materials from the workpiece. Selection of the most suitable NTMprocessformachininga shapefeatureona givenworkmaterialrequiresconsideration ofseveralfactors. A combined method using the ‘technique for order preference by similarity to idealsolution’ (TOPSIS) and an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed to select the mostappropriate NTM process for a specific work material and shape feature combination, whiletakinginto account different attributes affecting the NTM process selection decision. This paperalso includes the design and development of a TOPSIS-AHP-method-based expert system thatcan automate the decision-making process with the help of a graphical user interface and visualaids. The expert system not only segregates the acceptable NTM processes from the list of theavailable processes, but also ranks them in decreasing order of preference. It also helps the useras a responsible guide to select the best NTM process by incorporating all the possible error-trapping mechanisms.Keywords: non-traditional machining process, multi-attribute decision-making, TOPSIS,AHP, expert system, graphical user interface1 INTRODUCTIONWith the development of technology and evolutionof new materials, the challenging problems faced byscientists and technologists in the field of manu-facturing are increasing. Hence, there is a need formachine tools and processes which can easily andprecisely machine to intricate and accurate shapesmaterials such as titanium, stainless steel, high-strength temperature-resistant (HSTR) alloys, fibre-reinforced composites, ceramics, refractories, andother difficult-to-machine alloys, which have higherstrength,hardness,toughness,lowmachinability,andother diverse properties. Traditional edged cuttingtool machining processes are uneconomical for suchmaterials as the attainable degree of accuracy andsurface finish are quite poor. The application of non-traditional machining (NTM) processes has pavedthe way for new developments in machining hard-to-machine and advanced materials, both now and inthe future. The use of these NTM processes isincreasingly requested on the shopfloor. Such pro-cesses were developed and came into use during the1980s: they are called non-traditional because con-ventionaltoolsarenotemployedforthemetalcutting[1, 2]. Instead, the energy in its direct form is used toremove materials from the workpiece. Newer NTMprocesses such as magneto-rheological flow finishing(MRFF), abrasive flow machining (AFM), photo-chemical machining (PCM), electrochemical turning(ECT), electrochemical honing (ECH), and otherhybrid processes such as electrochemical dischargemachining (ECDM), electrochemical arc machining(ECAM),andabrasivewaterjetmachining(AWJM)arenow being used in various industries for precisionmaterial machining. Some of the NTM processes