Fuzzy multi-attribute equipment selection based on information axiom

Multi-attribute equipment selection is a very important activity for an effective manufacturing system. The information axiom proposes the selection of the proper alternative that has minimum information. Selection of the convenient equipment under determined criteria (such as costs and technical characteristics) using the information axiom will be realized in this study. The unweighted and weighted multi-attribute axiomatic design (AD) approaches developed in this paper include both crisp and fuzzy criteria. The fuzzy set theory has the capability of capturing the uncertainty under the conditions of incomplete, non-obtainable and unquantifiable information. These approaches were applied to the selection among punching machines while investing in a manufacturing system. The selection process has been accomplished by aiding a software program called MAXD. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.