Optimization of E-jet Based Micro Manufacturing Process Using Grey Relation Analysis

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is a micro/nano manufacturing process to deposit the functional materials for fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), microelectronic devices etc. The performance of the EHD system is greatly depends on process parameters like applied voltage between the ejection aperture and the substrate, standoff height, applied pressure, and nozzle size. In this paper, an attempt has been made to optimize the process parameters to attain better printing performance. Grey relation grade (GRG) analysis has been employed as a multi objective optimization method to find out the optimal process parameters. In this study, applied back pressure, nozzle standoff height, and applied voltage have taken as control parameters and printed droplet diameter and frequency have considered as printing performance characteristics which are to be optimized. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of International Conference on Processing of Materials, Minerals and Energy (July 29th - 30th) 2016, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India.