Multi-response optimization in friction properties of PBT composites using Taguchi method and principle component analysis

This paper optimizes the injection-molding process for friction properties of fiber-reinforced polybutylene terephthalate using Taguchi method and principal component analysis. Four controllable factors of the manufacturing process were studied at three levels each. The single-response optimization of friction property was conducted by Taguchi method. Principal component analysis was employed to correspond to multi-response cases, for transforming the correlated friction properties to a set of uncorrelated components and evaluating the principal components. The optimum combination of process factors and levels for multiple qualities, based on the first principal component, was determined first. The appropriate number of the principle components, and the influence of the number on the optimum process condition, were subsequently studied by extracting more than one principal component and integrating into a comprehensive index. Finally, the analysis of variance was used to find out the most influential injection-molding parameter for single and multiple responses problems.