A decision support system for fuzzy multi-attribute selection of material handling equipments

Effective use of labor, providing system flexibility, increasing productivity, decreasing lead times and costs are some of the most important factors influencing selection of material handling equipment. In this study, a decision support system (FUNIAHES: fuzzy multi-attribute material handling equipment selection) considering these factors for material handling equipment selection is developed. FUMAHES consists of a database, a rule-based system and multi-attribute decision making modules. This database includes detailed data about equipment types and their properties. The rule-based system module provides rules, which are utilized by inference engine for determining the most proper material handling equipment type. Ultimately, a final decision is made for the most proper equipment among the alternatives of the same type using the information axiom of axiomatic design principles. Evaluation of alternatives is made for the cases of both complete and incomplete information. This paper also introduces a fuzzy information axiom approach and uses it in the selection of material handling equipment in a real case. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.