Assessment of Arc Welding Process Through the Combination of TOPSIS-AHP Methods with Fuzzy Logic

In this work we have shown that how combining the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) process with fuzzy logic can be very efficient to solve decision problems in which there are criteria of different natures. This combination is applied here to solve a real decision problem of great interest in structural steel welding which is used widely in industry. The problem consists of selecting the best electric arc welding processes for a plate thickness greater than 12 mm. Because facing a decision problem of this type involves, on one hand, quantitative criteria (thermal efficiency, productivity, minimum power, etc.) and on the other hand, qualitative criteria (fatigue of welder, process learning, reliability, etc.), not only will it be necessary to apply a MCDM process, but it should also be combined with fuzzy logic with the aim of being able to perform the extraction of knowledge through a survey focused on experts. The Analytic Hierarchy Process has been used in order to obtain the weight of the criteria and, through the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution. The alternatives are also evaluated. There are no previous studies related to welding processes using the MCDM process with fuzzy logic.