Optimizing mean and variance of multiresponse in a multistage manufacturing process using operational data

A multistage process consists of sequential stages where each stage is affected by its preceding stage, and it in turn affects the stage that follows. The process described in this article also has several input and response variables whose relationships are complicated. These characteristics make it difficult to optimize all responses in the multistage process. We modify a data mining method called the patient rule induction method and combine it with desirability function methods to optimize the mean and variance of multiresponse in the multistage process. The proposed method is explained by a step-by-step procedure using a steel manufacturing process example.