Application of fuzzy MOORA method in the design and fabrication of an automated hammering machine

Abstract

PurposeIn most developing countries riveting, upset forging and punching operations among others are performed using manual hammering technique. The use of the manual method increases production time and reduces efficiency. The use of the manual approach is predominantly due to the high cost of imported automated hammering machines (AHM) which the majority of the end-users are incapable of acquiring. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to produce an AHM that is affordable using an effective material selection methodology in the design and fabrication process.Design/methodology/approachThe material selection methodology proposed is the fuzzy multi-objective optimisation on the basis of the ratio analysis (MOORA) method. The tool was used to evaluate and determine the optimum material for the major of the components of the AHM from amongst alternative materials while considering several decision criteria. A case study of the shaft was applied to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed technique. The AHM components design is then carried out and machine fabricated and tested to ascertain performance effectiveness.FindingsThe result of the fuzzy MOORA evaluation showed that alloy steel is the optimal material for the shaft. The fuzzy MOORA approach was compared with the fuzzy Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija Ikompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) and fuzzy grey relational analysis (GRA) methods to validate the proposed method. The fuzzy MOORA method produces completely the same result with the fuzzy VIKOR and fuzzy GRA methods. The machine was then designed, constructed and tested and found to be effective for the purpose of the design.Originality/valueThis is significant as no such study has been published by any other researcher to the best of our knowledge in this area.