Multi-attribute comparison of advanced manufacturing systems using fuzzy vs. crisp axiomatic design approach

Axiomatic design (AD) provides a framework to describe design objects and a set of axioms to evaluate relations between intended functions and means by which they are achieved. Since AD has the characteristics of multi-attribute evaluation, it is proposed for multi-attribute comparison of advanced manufacturing systems (ANIS). The comparison of AMS is made for the cases of both complete and incomplete information. The crisp AD approach for complete information and the fuzzy AD approach for incomplete information are developed. This paper is the first which develops the fuzzy AD approach and uses it in the comparison of AMS. In the paper, the numeric applications of both crisp and fuzzy AD approaches in the comparison of flexible-manufacturing systems are also given. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.