Reconnoitering the suitability of fuzzified weighted decision matrix for design process of a reconfigurable assembly fixture

Abstract

This article presents the design process of a reconfigurable assembly fixture (RAF) using a fuzzified weighted decision matrix (FWDM) process. In order to consider various functional requirement and design criteria of the RAF and associated sub-factors for each criterion. The developed FWDM process combined the fuzzy weighted sum and fuzzy weighted product model. A framework for the application of the FWDM is developed in order to simplify the application process. Sub-factors associated to functional requirement for the optimal design of the RAF are identified considering a mixed scenario using the concept of triangular fuzzy number. Four CAD models of the RAF were considered in order to decide on the optimal design. Results obtained from the FWDM process showed that the cumulative weight of ranking designs based on selected criteria or design features shows a particular design concept to be better than another. However, a consideration of a holistic view of the level of importance of the functional requirement in the optimal design makes the weighted score of each of the design to have close values.