SEMI 4853
QUALITY ENGINEERING
SECTION
Taguchi Method using L8 Orthogonal Array
Design of Experiment and Statistical Analysis for Landing
Time of Bottle Parachute
B21EM0020
B20EM0046
A20EM0355
A20EM0341
A20EM0339
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
JANUARY 2024
,1.0 Design of Experiment (DOE)
In the dynamic realm of quality engineering, where precision and optimization are
paramount, the Design of Experiment (DOE) emerges as a pivotal methodology. This report
embarks on a fascinating journey into the intricate world of parachute dynamics, specifically
focusing on the landing time of a bottle parachute. The conduit for this exploration is the
Taguchi Method, a powerful tool devised by the eminent Japanese statistician Genichi Taguchi.
By employing this method, we aim to systematically scrutinize and enhance the performance
of a bottle parachute under controlled conditions.
Parachutes, with their myriad applications ranging from recreational endeavours to
airdrop systems, play a crucial role in diverse fields. Understanding and optimizing the
multifaceted factors that influence the landing time of a bottle parachute is central to ensuring
its efficacy and reliability. The Taguchi Method, renowned for its efficiency in experimental
design, offers a structured approach to unravel the complexities involved in this process.
At the heart of this experiment lies the objective to dissect and comprehend the nuanced
impact of four key factors—material type, surface area, length of rope, and weight of the
bottle—on the landing time of a bottle parachute. Each factor, carefully chosen for its potential
influence on performance, will be subjected to two levels of variation. The experimental matrix
will be constructed using an L8 orthogonal array, a strategic choice to maximize information
yield while minimizing the number of experimental runs. The response variable under scrutiny
is the landing time in seconds, a crucial metric in assessing the parachute's performance.
The experimental design is meticulously structured to maintain a solid foundation.
Certain parameters, such as the dimensions of the bottle and the drop height, remain steadfast
throughout the experiments. A consistent drop height of 8 meters provides a controlled
environment for isolating the effects of the chosen factors. The assumption of nearly constant
wind conditions during the experiment further bolsters the reliability of the study.
1
, - Plastic
A Material Type
+ Parchment Paper
- 46 𝑐𝑚2
B Surface Area
+ 53 𝑐𝑚2
Factors
- 30 𝑐𝑚
C Length of Rope
+ 60 𝑐𝑚
- 100 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
D Weight of Bottle
+ 150 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
Response Landing Time (𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠)
Replicates (𝒏) 3
Drop Height 8 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
Fixed Parameters
Material of the Bottle Plastic
Table 1: Summarized Design of Experiment for Landing Time of Bottle Parachute
1.1 L8 Orthogonal Array
The L8 orthogonal array used in this project is a powerful experimental design tool that
falls under the umbrella of Taguchi Methods. An orthogonal array is a systematic and efficient
way to organize experimental runs to study the effects of multiple factors on a response
variable. The "L8" designation refers to the specific size and structure of the array, where "L"
signifies the number of levels (2 in this case, as each factor has two levels), and "8" indicates
the number of experimental runs.
The L8 orthogonal array is a square matrix with eight rows (experimental runs) and
eight columns (factors). Each column corresponds to a different factor, and each row represents
a unique combination of factor levels. The columns are arranged in such a way that the array
exhibits orthogonality. Orthogonality in this context means that each level of every factor
2
QUALITY ENGINEERING
SECTION
Taguchi Method using L8 Orthogonal Array
Design of Experiment and Statistical Analysis for Landing
Time of Bottle Parachute
B21EM0020
B20EM0046
A20EM0355
A20EM0341
A20EM0339
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
JANUARY 2024
,1.0 Design of Experiment (DOE)
In the dynamic realm of quality engineering, where precision and optimization are
paramount, the Design of Experiment (DOE) emerges as a pivotal methodology. This report
embarks on a fascinating journey into the intricate world of parachute dynamics, specifically
focusing on the landing time of a bottle parachute. The conduit for this exploration is the
Taguchi Method, a powerful tool devised by the eminent Japanese statistician Genichi Taguchi.
By employing this method, we aim to systematically scrutinize and enhance the performance
of a bottle parachute under controlled conditions.
Parachutes, with their myriad applications ranging from recreational endeavours to
airdrop systems, play a crucial role in diverse fields. Understanding and optimizing the
multifaceted factors that influence the landing time of a bottle parachute is central to ensuring
its efficacy and reliability. The Taguchi Method, renowned for its efficiency in experimental
design, offers a structured approach to unravel the complexities involved in this process.
At the heart of this experiment lies the objective to dissect and comprehend the nuanced
impact of four key factors—material type, surface area, length of rope, and weight of the
bottle—on the landing time of a bottle parachute. Each factor, carefully chosen for its potential
influence on performance, will be subjected to two levels of variation. The experimental matrix
will be constructed using an L8 orthogonal array, a strategic choice to maximize information
yield while minimizing the number of experimental runs. The response variable under scrutiny
is the landing time in seconds, a crucial metric in assessing the parachute's performance.
The experimental design is meticulously structured to maintain a solid foundation.
Certain parameters, such as the dimensions of the bottle and the drop height, remain steadfast
throughout the experiments. A consistent drop height of 8 meters provides a controlled
environment for isolating the effects of the chosen factors. The assumption of nearly constant
wind conditions during the experiment further bolsters the reliability of the study.
1
, - Plastic
A Material Type
+ Parchment Paper
- 46 𝑐𝑚2
B Surface Area
+ 53 𝑐𝑚2
Factors
- 30 𝑐𝑚
C Length of Rope
+ 60 𝑐𝑚
- 100 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
D Weight of Bottle
+ 150 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
Response Landing Time (𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠)
Replicates (𝒏) 3
Drop Height 8 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
Fixed Parameters
Material of the Bottle Plastic
Table 1: Summarized Design of Experiment for Landing Time of Bottle Parachute
1.1 L8 Orthogonal Array
The L8 orthogonal array used in this project is a powerful experimental design tool that
falls under the umbrella of Taguchi Methods. An orthogonal array is a systematic and efficient
way to organize experimental runs to study the effects of multiple factors on a response
variable. The "L8" designation refers to the specific size and structure of the array, where "L"
signifies the number of levels (2 in this case, as each factor has two levels), and "8" indicates
the number of experimental runs.
The L8 orthogonal array is a square matrix with eight rows (experimental runs) and
eight columns (factors). Each column corresponds to a different factor, and each row represents
a unique combination of factor levels. The columns are arranged in such a way that the array
exhibits orthogonality. Orthogonality in this context means that each level of every factor
2
