An MCDM approach for multi-response optimisation of machining parameters in turning of EN8 steel (AISI-1040) for sustainable manufacturing

The study aims to obtain a sustainable solution in terms of material removal rate (MRR, cm³/min), surface roughness (Ra, μm), resultant cutting force (F, Newton), and noise level (NL, dBA) as performance measures to improve sustainability in turning process using an integrated MEREC-PIV multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method based on L27 orthogonal array (OA) experimental design with three input parameters, i.e., cutting speed (A, 250, 300 & 350 m/min), depth of cut (B, 0.1, 0.3 & 0.5 mm), and feed rate (C, 0.05, 0.25 & 0.45 mm/rev). S/N ratio and ANOM based analysis are also utilized to determine the optimal process parameters for the cumulative target. MEREC based criteria weighting analysis indicates that MRR is the most significant performance measure for the considered domain of input parameters, followed by Ra, F, and NL. The PIV approach, S/N ratio analysis, and ANOM show that the best sustainable alternative is input parameter combination A3B3C3, which is 350 m/min, 0.5 mm, and 0.45 mm/rev. ANOM results show that all four performance measures are highly susceptible to feed rate followed by the depth of cut and cutting speed. ANOVA results reveal that all three input parameters and the feed-depth of cut interaction affect the response significantly. The confirmatory test confirms the optimal input parameter settings.