Abstract
The conveyor system plays a vital role in improving the performance of flexible manufacturing cells (FMCs). The conveyor selection problem involves the evaluation of a set of potential alternatives based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. This paper presents an integrated multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model of a fuzzy AHP (analytic hierarchy process) and fuzzy ARAS (additive ratio assessment) for conveyor evaluation and selection. In this model, linguistic terms represented as triangular fuzzy numbers are used to quantify experts’ uncertain assessments of alternatives with respect to the criteria. The fuzzy set is then integrated into the AHP to determine the weights of the criteria. Finally, a fuzzy ARAS is used to calculate the weights of the alternatives. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, a case study is performed of a practical example, and the results obtained demonstrate practical potential for the implementation of FMCs.
Highlights
After the economic downturn in 2008, manufacturing companies began to implement advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) to improve the capacity of small-and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) [1]
Mousavi et al [20] presented a novel fuzzy grey multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) for the evaluation and selection of MHE in an uncertain environment of a textile manufacturing company. They developed an MCDM method based on the combination of compromise solutions and grey relational models for decision making in real-life situations
In addition to production requirements, customer demands, and development and investment strategies, the important criteria and potential alternatives are determined by the decision makers based on literature reviews, handbooks, textbooks, catalogues, advice from suppliers, and their own experience
Summary
After the economic downturn in 2008, manufacturing companies began to implement advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) to improve the capacity of small-and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) [1]. Mousavi et al [20] presented a novel fuzzy grey MCDM for the evaluation and selection of MHE in an uncertain environment of a textile manufacturing company They developed an MCDM method based on the combination of compromise solutions and grey relational models for decision making in real-life situations. In addition to production requirements, customer demands, and development and investment strategies, the important criteria and potential alternatives are determined by the decision makers (such as experts, academicians, and industry consultants—in this paper, information about the decision makers is presented, which is adapted from [47]) based on literature reviews, handbooks, textbooks, catalogues, advice from suppliers, and their own experience. The hierarchical structure of the MCDM model was modified to be suitable for the conveyor selection process for FMC design in manufacturing SMEs. 35 machinery and material handling engineering doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153222.t001. Evaluating multi-criteria projects in MHS and the design of mechanical conveyor systems
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