Fuzzy Logic based Decision Support System for Mass Customization

Abstract

Intelligent decision support system is one of the key enabler of successful implementation of mass customization (MC). Manufacturing enterprises in the business of mass customization ought to leverage software embedded with optimized intelligent and intuitive algorithms for decision making at each stage of company’s functioning from designing through to product life cycle management.. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an example of such available tools that enables composite atomization of technological and organizational preparation of manufacture of customized products. In MC the requirement given by the customer may be semi structured or nonstructural, incomplete, contradictory or difficult to formalize. The manufacturer offers customer interactive tools on the web to configure their product and assist in placing an order. The fuzzy logic tool (FLT) can be used to assist the customer to finalize their requirements from the options given from the manufacturer. In automotive, customization has many facets like color, material, electronic instrumentation, seats, engine, brakes, etc. The paper describes the application of FLT to improve the decision support system of MC. The feasibility and effectiveness of the decision support system using FLT are empirically validated by case study implementation of engine selection and braking system as features of automobile.