A narrative literature review on optimization of manufacturing processes using weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method

In the present industrial era, manufacturing has become the primary process of converting the raw materials into finished items while fulfilling the customers' requirements of low cost and better quality. Based on the working principles, manufacturing processes have several variations, like machining (conventional as well as non-conventional), forming, forging, casting, moulding, joining, additive manufacturing etc. To achieve the desired product characteristics, each of the manufacturing processes must be operated while setting the corresponding input parameters at their optimal levels. Since last few years, weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) has appeared as one of the potent multi-criteria decision making tools having uncomplicated computational steps for manufacturing processes optimization. This paper reviews 45 research articles dealing with applications of WASPAS method in optimizing some of the manufacturing processes. It is observed that turning has been maximally optimized using WASPAS, followed by abrasive jet/abrasive water jet machining process. The researchers have preferred to determine the corresponding criteria weights using entropy method. This paper also provides information with respect to experimental design plan employed, material machined, input parameters and responses considered, and other mathematical tools acknowledged for comparative analysis. Finally, some future research directions are proposed.