3D Printer Selection by Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and PROMETHEE

Authors : Cihan ÇETİNKAYA, Mehmet KABAK, Eren ÖZCEYLAN

Pages : 371-380

Doi:10.17671/gazibtd.347610

View : 29 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2017-10-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :A 3D printer is a device which is used to produce three-dimensional objects from a digital 3D file. The 3D printers were very expensive and not really affordable for the general public so they were being used only by firms. But nowadays, 3D printers are more accessible to the public with competitive prices and many different models. This situation reveals the problem of choosing the best alternative among these printers. In this paper, we handle the 3D printer selection problem of a company which is in 3D production business. Since there is no study in literature that uses a hybrid Fuzzy AHP and PROMETHEE for selecting a 3D printer, it is believed that this paper can help the decision makers about their 3D printer selection decisions. Another importance of the paper can be introduced as being a real life guide for a real life problem of a company. To solve the problem, firstly the selection criteria are obtained from the company. Then, selection criteria are prioritized using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and potential 3D printers are ranked using PROMETHEE. Finally, the best 3D printer is chosen for the company among five close alternatives.
Keywords : 3D printer, Fuzzy AHP, PROMETHEE, Additive manufacturing