Selecting the most agile manufacturing system with respect to agile attribute-technology: Fuzzy AHP approach

Abstract

We can define agility of manufacturing systems as the ability to exist and thrive in an environment that is afflicted by continual and uncertain change and competition. Agile manufacturing systems respond and react speedily and efficiently to changing markets. The main attributes of agile manufacturing include market, assimilation, capability, technology, standard, change, collaboration, pedagogy and many others. Technology helps managers at all levels to achieve the goal of agile and flexible assembly line systems. Technology is dynamic in nature, and it changes very quickly, and the manufacturing systems have to change their working, structures, products and services accordingly to function profitability in the market. Technology has four attributes: technology knowledge, finding direction in modern technology, making technology more effective, and a resilient method of bringing out the technology. Agility in manufacturing systems can be improved following the views of experts in the industry. The most agile manufacturing system in terms of these technological dimensions is chosen using a fuzzy AHP technique in this research. When it comes to selecting the most agile manufacturing system, the Fuzzy AHP technique can help overcome human subjectivity and ambiguity. This study will aid decision-makers in implementing technical breakthroughs in manufacturing processes, as well as improving, controlling, and evaluating the quality of emerging technologies and expanding their acceptance. The analysis shows that the flexible production technology parameter is more important than other parameters concerning the agile attribute-technology and manufacturing system A1 is a more agile manufacturing system between the two alternatives. A sensitivity analysis can test the priority ranking stability.