Abstract:

This study aimed to determine the optimal process parameters of needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, and obtain the maximal strength of needle-punched nonwoven fabrics. The Taguchi approach and grey relational analysis were used to solve the multi-quality optimisation problem and determine the optimal process parameter combination of needlepunched nonwoven fabrics. The L9 orthogonal array was used to design parameters that affect the needle-punched nonwoven fabric process, including the folding machine oscillating speed, folding machine conveying speed, needle-punch depth, and needle-punch density. Then grey relational analysis was used to overcome the single quality characteristic disadvantage of the Taguchi approach, and the optimal process parameter combination of multiple quality characteristics was obtained from the response graph of the analysis. The quality characteristics of this experiment are the nonwoven fabric tearing strength and tensile strength. Signal-to-noise ratios (S/N ratio) were calculated and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to analyse the experiment results. The results of ANOVA showed that the factors with a significant effect on the quality characteristics of needlepunched nonwoven fabrics included the needle-punch depth and needle-punch density. In other words, by controlling these factors the quality characteristics of the needle-punched nonwoven fabrics could be controlled effectively. Finally, the 95% confidence interval of the verification experiment proved that this experiment was reliable and reproducible