Optimization of bone drilling using Taguchi methodology coupled with fuzzy based desirability function approach

Bone drilling is frequently done during Orthopaedic surgery to produce hole for screw insertion to fix and immobilize the fractured bones. Minimally invasive drilling of bone has a great demand as it helps in better fixation and quick healing of the broken bones. In the present investigation, Taguchi methodology coupled with the fuzzy logic based on desirability function is used for the optimization of bone drilling process to minimize the drilling induced damage of bone. Experiments have been performed with different conditions of feed rate and spindle speed using full factorial design. The responses considered are temperature, force and surface roughness. The multiple responses are aggregated into a single multi-performance index using fuzzy based desirability function which is then optimized using the Taguchi method. The optimal setting and the influence of the bone drilling process parameters on the multi-performance index is determined using response table, response graph and analysis of variance. The confirmation experiment carried out to validate the results reveals that the present approach can effectively minimize the bone tissue damage during drilling.