Robust Optimization of Fins by Taguchi Technique

Abstract

#x201C;The sole aim of any design optimization technique is price and performance. In case of fins the optimization of price is concerned with minimum material requirement with improved temperature drop in terms of performance#x201C;. In analytical or conventional optimization techniques, involved design parameters are related to each other in mathematical model, in form of ordinary/partial differential equation. If the design variables are such that they cannot be related mathematically then a mathematical model cannot be prepared and none of the classical design optimization techniques can be applied for solving the problem but Taguchi technique can account for such case. The application of mathematical optimization technique in case of fins involving parameters such as surface finish, effect of duct, bending, etc will be difficult to relate with the fins performance in a mathematical model. Over coming to this major limitation of classical techniques Taguchi method does not only account such variables but also provide robust optimization. Advantageously the method provides percent contribution of each variable/parameter for optimization of objective function.