Sustainable optimization through intuitionistic fuzzy MABAC of conical microcups fabrication in incremental sheet metal forming

• Published in: Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering 2024-07, Vol.46 (7), Article 445
• Main Authors: Sivam, S. P. Sundar Singh, Harshavardhana, N., Kumaran, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; Clustering; Decision making; Design of experiments; Energy consumption; Engineering; Feed rate; Forming techniques; Indicators; Internal energy; Manufacturing; Materials handling; Materials selection; Mechanical Engineering; Metal forming; Metal sheets; Optimization; Parameter identification; Performance measurement; Power consumption; Process parameters; Structural integrity; Sustainability; Technical Paper
• ISSN: 1678-5878; 1806-3691
• DOI: 10.1007/s40430-024-04997-6

In incremental sheet forming of conical microcups, intuitionistic fuzzy MABAC optimizes sustainability by efficiently handling uncertainty in material selection and process parameters, ensuring stable convergence for precise cluster assignments and informed decision-making in the fabrication process. It addresses conventional factors such as feed rate, depth, and material type, including copper, brass, and SS304, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The primary objective is minimizing the environmental impact of resource consumption associated with the manufacturing process while achieving the desired microcup characteristics. Sustainability performance is assessed through critical environmental indicators, including energy consumption and material waste. Responses measured, such as spring back (in microns), power consumption (in watts), and maximum forming depth, are analyzed for their environmental implications. This study employs an innovative approach based on intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attributive border approximation clustering (IF-MABAC) for optimization. The IF-MABAC methodology facilitates the integration of sustainability considerations into the decision-making process by simultaneously assessing both traditional performance metrics and sustainability indicators. The experimental design follows a customized IF-MABAC approach with 18 runs, covering parameters that affect dimensional accuracy, structural integrity, and environmental sustainability. By utilizing IF-MABAC, this research aims to identify parameter settings that enhance the microcups’ dimensional accuracy and structural integrity and minimize the manufacturing process. A confirmation experiment is conducted to validate the sustainability-focused optimization results, ensuring consistent, reliable outcomes. The confirmation experiment considers the optimized parameters concerning dimensional accuracy, and stored energy.