Industrial Robot Selection Using Multiple Objective Decision Making Methodology

Abstract

The multiple objective decision making (MODM) is an approach to solve the problem having finite alternatives. A MODM method uses the available attribute values and reaches to a suitable choice. The manufacturing organization has to select right manufacturing methods, product and process designs, manufacturing technologies, materials, lubricants, machinery and equipment. The selection decisions become more complicated as the decision makers in the manufacturing environment have to choose a best possible option by considering large number of alternatives based on a set of conflicting criteria. Robots with various specifications are available for a wide range of applications. Selection of a robot from among the large number available in the market to suit a particular application and production environment has become a complex task. To aid these selection processes, various multiobjective decision making (MODM) methods are now available. This paper explores the application of an almost new MODM method, i.e., the multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis (MOORA) method to solve different decision making problems as frequently encountered in the real-time manufacturing environment.