Evaluating flexible manufacturing systems using a combined multiple attribute decision making method

Abstract

This paper presents a logical procedure to evaluate alternative flexible manufacturing systems for a given industrial application. The procedure is based on a combined multiple attribute decision making method using TOPSIS and AHP methods together. A ‘flexible manufacturing system suitability index’ is proposed that evaluates and ranks flexible manufacturing systems for the given industrial application. The methodology is illustrated by means of an example.

Keywords:

• Flexible manufacturing systems
• Multiple attribute decision making