Layout configuration selection for reconfigurable manufacturing systems using the fuzzy AHP Online publication date: Wed, 11-Mar-2009
by M. Reza Abdi
International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management (IJMTM), Vol. 17, No. 1/2, 2009
Abstract: Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) is designed to rapidly respond to changing market requirements. The system operates on various products grouped into families according to their operational requirements. Therefore, an RMS may require different layout configurations while switching from one product to the other. This paper investigates the criteria, which can influence layout configuration selection. In particular, an Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) model is developed to structure the criteria for the selection of the most appropriate layout for each configuration stage. The criteria are indicated based on the layout reconfigurability, cost, quality and reliability. The alternatives are identified based on the serial/parallel configurations for the set of specified machines. Due to dealing with vague data in the decision process, the uncertain criteria are characterised by triangular fuzzy sets. The integrated fuzzy AHP is analysed within the boundary limits of the fuzzy criteria through a case study.
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