Fuzzy AHP in selecting cutting technology for AISI 1040 steel used in manufacturing the tractor back lifting stand system

Decision-making in metal cutting technologies requires much information based on the product characteristics. Plasma cutting and laser cutting are widely used technologies in sheet metal cutting. The fuzzy AHP method was used in this study to make a selection between plasma cutting and laser cutting for cutting workpieces to be used in manufacturing the bearing stand of the tractor back lifting stand system. Decision-making criteria were determined by considering expert opinions. The laser cutting technology with an overall significance weight of 82% was preferred over the plasma cutting technology with an overall significance weight of 18%. Rather than cost items, much more emphasis was placed on production flexibility while selecting a cutting technology for sheet metals. A great attention was paid to the unit production duration, normal emphasis was placed on the unit product cost, but initial investment cost was not much taken into consideration. The technology requiring a lesser number of employees was preferred as the proper technology. © 2015 by Begell House, Inc.