How to set up an experiment for a specific cri

using the Taguchi Method

STATEMENT:

In this spreadsheet, we focus on the drag coefficient Cd (called y

for a motercycle body. The goal is to set up an experiment for this costumer
order to find an optimal solution.
Step by step, we will follow the Taguchi approach applied to this
and describe how to set up an efficient experiment whose results could pro
used. As costumers look for low drag, we consider this quality
characteristic as a smaller-the-better one.
In the automobile industry, this represents a complex problem to
order to be as clear as possible, we will simplify the study with logical hypo
and assumptions.

APPROACH:
STEP 1:

Selection of factors to be studied

The most efficient way to look for meaningful factors is the brain
using the cause-effect diagram, well-known as the Fish bone:
Product

Plant

Process

People

Programmes

In our case, four factors will be studied, identified as the most in

relate to the de-mist time.

The ambient density of the air

The speed to which it will be exposed during rideing
Its material M
Its geometry G
The first factor is a noise factor as it disturbs the system performance. Th
is a control factor whereas the material M and the geometry G are indicative

STEP 2:

Selection of levels for each factor

Levels can be chosen according to standards, conditions of use,
notions, etcThe more factors, the better. Besides intervals between two le
have to be as wild as possible.

Once again, after a brainstorming and some assumptions to sim

study, levels for each factor have been selected.

For the ambient density

Levels have been selected by studying the environme
in which the car will be mostly exposed. Starting at 30C
average in winter generally reaches -25C, =1.4 in the North par

For the speed:

It is based on what is commonly done and on the mat
the mirror holder.

For the material of the body

Two types of mirror material are used in the automobi
first one is called standard as it is the one mostly used. The seco
new technology called AeroGlide with a new coating.

For the geometry of the bike

In this case too, it is based on two different aerodynam
We selected two available geometries G1 and G2.
Finally

Levels
Factor

1.16 kg/m^3
Low
Standard
G1

1.3 kg/m^3
High
AeroGlide
G2

S
M
G

STEP 3:

Selection of inner and outer layouts

In this experiment, there are one control factor and two indicative
So for the inner layout, we can select a L4 table which consists in four runs,
a simplified solution:

Run
1
2
3
4

S
1
2
1
2

M
1
1
2
2

G
2
1
1
2

As there is only one noise factor, the outer layout is very simple:
Finally, the experiment is set up: tests can start and measures are registered
following array:
Run
1
2
3
4

STEP 4:

S
1
2
1
2

M
1
1
2
2

G
2
1
1
2

Interpretation of results
Once measures are registered, calculations to find the optimal
condition can be done:
STEP 4 a

Calculation of S/N ratios

As a reminder, the drag coefficient here a smaller-the better char
So formulas used for S/N ratios are:

i =n

1
2= y 2
j
n i =1 ij
j=10 log (

2)

Average squared of deviatio

S/N ratio

Drag Coefficient
Run
1
2
3
4

S
1
2
1
2

M
1
1
2
2

G
2
1
1
2

Cd1
0.5
0.55
0.35
0.25

STEP 4 b

Calculation of effects
Each factor has two levels, two effects by factor have to be calcu

Pl= wherePappears at l
Level
1
2
STEP 4 c

14.47
16.62

11.12
19.97

13.89
17.20

Calculation of variations of factors

Every factor has two levels:

( P1 P2 )2
S p=
k
k: number of runs

S T = S p
Variations S
STEP 4 d

S
1.16

M
19.60

G
2.72

Calculation of degree of freedom

fT=k-1
so fT=

f factor P= number of level-1

S
1

f
STEP 4 e

M
1

G
1

Calculation of variance
Total variance:

Variance V

S
1.16

V T=
M
19.60

ST
f

G
2.72

According to these results, we can identify factors making up the larger vari
terms:
H
So factors considered as source error are M and G.
We can now estimate variation and variance for the error source.
STEP 4 f

Calculation of error variation and error variance

S e = S M M : factors designated
V e=
So

STEP 4 g

Se=

22.32

fe=

Ve=

11.16

Se
f

Calculation of pure variations

S ' P=S P V e f P

S ' e =S e +V e f factors considere

Pure variation
STEP 4 h

H
-10.00

error
33.48

Calculation of degree of contribution

S'P
P=
100
ST
e =

(%)

S'e
ST

100

H
-42.6

error
142.6

STEP 5:

Investigation of the optimum condition

The table with effects of every factor allows to select the best lev
factor to maximize the Signal-to-Noise ratio:
Level
1
2

14.47

11.12

13.89

16.62

19.97

17.20

According to these values, the optimum condition is:

Factor
Level

STEP 6:

S
2

M
2

G
2

Estimation of the process average under optimum conditions

=T + ( H opt T )
j=k

where

T=

j=1 j

H o=

T=
H2
Finally:

H opt

number of runs where H ap

7.77

= 8.3103323
8.31 decibel

r a specific criterion
Method

g coefficient Cd (called y)
riment for this costumer requirement in

pproach applied to this criterion

whose results could properly be
his quality

ts a complex problem to solve. In

study with logical hypothesis

ngful factors is the brainstorming

ish bone:
People
EFFECT

rogrammes

dentified as the most interesting to

exposed during rideing

system performance. The speed S

eometry G are indicative factors.

ards, conditions of use, empiric

ntervals between two levels

me assumptions to simplify the

studying the environmental conditions

Starting at 30C = 1.16
C, =1.4 in the North part of USA.

nly done and on the material used for

re used in the automobile industry. The

e mostly used. The second one is a
new coating.

two different aerodynamic designs

factor and two indicative factors.

h consists in four runs, which is

very simple:
measures are registered in the
De-frosting time
Cd1
Cd2

ns to find the optimal

a smaller-the better characteristic.

rage squared of deviation

Drag Coefficient
Cd2
0.52
0.54
0.39
0.29

j
5.85
5.27
8.62
11.35

Cd1

Cd2

y factor have to be calculated.

Pappears at level l

k=4

T
23.48

T
3

Variance of factor P:

T
7.83

V P=

SP
f

making up the larger variances

error source.

s designated as error sources

factors considered as significant

ws to select the best level for each

T )
H opt

uns where H appears at optimal level