Taguchi Method for Design of Experiment: A Quality Assessment

The following module learning outcomes and professional body learning outcomes are tested in this assessment:

·Describe and critically analyse quality management systems, product liability prevention programmes and implementation of quality tools and techniques, in manufacturing industry.

The final report should bear the name of all group members, clearly specify their contribution and should be submitted by the group leader ONLY through the TurnitIn drop box on the CANVAS.

The drop box will be available two weeks before the deadline to allow students to check their work. On the deadline date the final submission is locked in and will be assessed.

The group leader is responsible to disseminate feedback to all group members following return of the work via CANVAS.

Each of the team members should also submit a diary of their activities in the development of the submission, incorporated as an appendix to the final report. This will not be assessed as part of the marking scheme for this assignment, but support your evidence of engagement with this task. It may be taken into consideration in the event of a dispute over contributions.

This assignment focuses on Dr Genichi Taguchi’s method for Robust Design and more particularly on his Design of Experiment (DoE) methodology. Students are both expected to design an experiment and undertake its execution. The experimental procedure should be clearly described under the DoE methodology followed by the critical analysis of the data collected

Requirement

You will work in the groups already assigned for Assessment 2. The group is required to carefully prepare, from the supplied helicopter drawings, 8 different paper helicopters numbering them 1 – 8. Each group is required to perform an experiment to study the paper helicopter flight time as a function of design. As a helicopter designer, you wish to achieve the longest flight time for a given drop height. There are several factors which can be varied in order to achieve an optimised design. In this experiment the following factors should be taken into account:

Wing length ( Long – Short)

Body length (Long - Short)

Body width (Narrow - Wide)

Weight clips (One - Two) – These should be fixed to the body of the helicopter.

Other factors may include paper material, taped body, taped wing, indoor or outdoor, holes in the wings, etc.  Many experiments go wrong due to the lack of discipline at the critical stage. In order to achieve a good experiment the group should take into account the following points of particular importance:

1.Design the experiment and allocate factors and levels to the array.

2.The experimental plan should be followed rigidly.

3.The helicopter used must be prepared in exactly the same way for each flight.

4.Use at least five repetitions and, most importantly, carry out the experiment in a consistent manner. For consistency, ensure that the same person always drops the helicopter, and the same student always does the timing.

5.The randomisation of runs is important.

6.Data collection sheets should be prepared in advance and all involved properly briefed and trained.

7.Analyse the data and optimise the design.

8.Assess the results and conclude your finding.

For this assignment  use the L8(27) Taguchi matrix design and write a structured report explaining your experimental methodology, contribution of individual members, and the outcome of your investigation in the context of quality assessment.

Submissions and marking scheme

The report should follow the design of the experiment using the Taguchi method. It should not exceed 1500 words, and must include the following sections.

Experimental design and conduct 30% (Marks)

Results and analysis     30% (Marks)

Discussion and conclusion 40% (Marks)

Clear evidence of the testing procedure should also be included. All graphs and/or images should be accompanied by at least an explanatory paragraph commenting and/or analysing the results displayed. All tabulated data should include a calculation example.