An integrated approach for cutting fluid selection using multiple attribute decision making methods

The choice of most appropriate cutting liquid in any machining process should be performed to attain maximum benefit. Selection of cutting fluid needs more than one dimension. For this purpose, many criteria should be deemed in the selection process. In this study decision making methods such as AHP, TOPSIS and VIKOR are employed to select the suitable cutting fluid. AHP is used to compute the objective weights for the criteria.The three alternatives considered are Ahonol- 7, Blaser and YBI. A case study of cutting fluid selection for machining LM 25 Aluminium alloy which finds application in automobile industries is presented to explain the applicability and suitability of the anticipated method. Ranking of alternatives in the above methods suggests Ahonol – 7 as the best cutting fluid for CNC turning LM 25 aluminium alloy.

A Quality Function Deployment-Based Model for Cutting Fluid Selection

Cutting fluid is applied for numerous reasons while machining a workpiece, like increasing tool life, minimizing workpiece thermal deformation, enhancing surface finish, flushing away chips from cutting surface, and so on. Hence, choosing a proper cutting fluid for a specific machining application becomes important for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of a manufacturing process. Cutting fluid selection is a complex procedure as the decision depends on many complicated interactions, including work material’s machinability, rigorousness of operation, cutting tool material, metallurgical, chemical, and human compatibility, reliability and stability of fluid, and cost. In this paper, a decision making model is developed based on quality function deployment technique with a view to respond to the complex character of cutting fluid selection problem and facilitate judicious selection of cutting fluid from a comprehensive list of available alternatives. In the first example, HD-CUTSOL is recognized as the most suitable cutting fluid for drilling holes in titanium alloy with tungsten carbide tool and in the second example, for performing honing operation on stainless steel alloy with cubic boron nitride tool, CF5 emerges out as the best honing fluid. Implementation of this model would result in cost reduction through decreased manpower requirement, enhanced workforce efficiency, and efficient information exploitation.