Optimization of the Metal Injection Molding Process with 3l6L Stainless Steel Powder and Influence Analysis of Process Parameters Using the Taguchi-MADM-Based Hybrid Method.

Metal injection molding (MIM) is an advanced manufacturing technology for producing complex metal parts with precise dimensions. Multiattribute decision making (MADM) can convert multiple quality attributes into a single overall quality score (OQS). To improve multiple quality attributes of the MIM compacts, a reasonable multiobjective optimization method should be applied. This paper proposes a Taguchi-MADM-based hybrid optimization method of the MIM process. It consists of the following main steps: (1) designing the experiment using a Taguchi orthogonal array, (2) conducting the experiment and measuring multiple quality attributes at each experimental trial, (3) calculating the OQS values at every experimental trial using some popular MADM methods, (4) selecting the best suitable MADM method from among some MADMs, and (5) determining optimal MIM process parameters to maximize the OQS obtained from the selected MADM using the Taguchi method. By using this method, this work determines the optimal MIM process parameters (injection pressure, injection temperature, powder loading, mold temperature, holding pressure, and injection speed) for improving multiple quality attributes (flexural strength, density, and surface appearance) of the MIM compacts with 3l6L stainless steel powder. The proposed method could be actively applied to many practical multiple quality attribute optimization problems in the manufacturing industry.