Multi-Objective Optimization of Setting of Resistance Spot Welding Machine using Taguchi's Quality Loss Function

Abstract

Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) is widely used in the industry particularly automobile industry as a predominant technique for sheet metal assembly. Although used for several decades, RSW has a major problem of large variation in weld quality. For setting RSW machine parameters, welding operators in the industry, generally use trial and error method for getting the desired quality (Weld Indentation, Weld Strength or there combinations) of the weld. With the change in work-shift, each time the machine parameters are reset, thereby wasting time & material and adversely affecting the productivity. It appears that optimum setting in the parameters of RSW machine may improve the quality of the product.

The paper reports the experimental Multi Objective Optimization of setting of RSW machine using Taguchi's Quality Loss Function, to get the desired quality of the weld. Also the results of multi-objective optimization are compared with the results of single objective optimization.