Abstract

Thus far, the Taguchi technique is found only efficient in obtaining the combination of optimal factor settings when a single product/process response is considered. In today’s dynamic environment, customers are interested in multiple quality responses. This research, therefore, utilizes fuzzy logic and backward-propagation neural networks (BPNNs) to optimize process performance for products of multiple quality responses. In this research, quality characteristics are transformed to signal to noise (S/N) ratios, which are then used as inputs to a fuzzy model to obtain a single common output measure (COM). Next, BPNNs are employed to obtain full-factorial experimental data. Finally, the combination of factor levels that maximizes the average COM value is chosen as the optimal combination. Three case studies are provided for illustration; in all of which the proposed approach provided the largest total anticipated improvement. This indicates that the proposed approach is more efficient than Taguchi-fuzzy, grey-Taguchi, and Taguchi-utility methods. In conclusion, the fuzzy-BPNN approach may greatly assist process/product engineers in optimizing performance with multiple responses in a wide range of business applications.

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