Evaluation model for selection of advanced manufacturing technologies

Abstract

Implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) has become a popular strategy among many industries to face the growing competition. Selection of AMT purely based on economic benefits has been challenged due to other factors such as strategic benefits. This paper presents decision making framework for selection of AMT. Factors influenced on Advanced Manufacturing Technology selection were identified under three categories, economic indicators, strategic benefits and risk. Sub-criteria of each category were further identified. Selection of the best AMT led to a multi-criteria decision making problem as alternative technologies should be evaluated based on many criteria. An Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model was developed for ranking the alternative AMTs. An example of a case is presented to show the actual implementation of the AHP model.