Optimization of E-Jet Based Micro-manufacturing Process Using Desirability Function Analysis

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is a micro- and nano-manufacturing process of printing high-resolution functional material on a substrate. It is a very exciting alternative to the conventional inkjet printing technology for micro-droplet generation. In this work, an approach has been made to tune the process control parameters to achieve better functioning of the printing process. The droplet size and the printing frequency have been taken as performance measure of the printing process whereas applied voltage, back pressure, and nozzle standoff height have been selected as the process parameters which are to be tuned through optimization. Desirability function analysis have been employed to optimize the process parameters for multiple output variables simultaneously. Composite desirability values have been computed and based on these values; the optimal process parameters which leads to better printing performance have been proposed.