Determination of Optimal Drilling Parameters of Massive Wooden Edge Glued Panels (EGP) and Medium Density Fiberboard using Taguchi Design Method

In this paper, the optimization of computer numerical control (CNC) drilling parameters was conducted using the Taguchi design method on the drilling holes’ inner surfaces roughness (Ra) massive wooden edge-glued panels (EGP) made of spruce (Picea Orientalis Link.), beech (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky), Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) and Medium Density Fiberboard surfaced with synthetic resin sheet (MDFlam). Three drilling parameters and their effects on Ra were evaluated. These parameters included spindle speed, feed rate, and cutter type. Surface roughness measurements according to ISO 4287 were performed on the inner surfaces of the holes, and Ra values were obtained. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to identify the significant factors affecting the Ra. Optimum drilling parameter combinations were acquired by analyzing the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. It is shown that the most ideal result was obtained with a two flutes cutter (cutter number 2) at 18000 rpm and feed of 1750 mm/minute for in-hole roughness values of the MDFlam test sample. In the drilling operations performed with a double-entry cutter, the lowest roughness values were obtained in all materials.