Multi-Criteria Model for the Selection of New Process Equipment in Casting Manufacturing: A Case Study

Abstract

The decision to introduce new process equipment is always a complex and risky process. An important competitive advantage in the automotive industry is the integration of new process equipment into the production system using different decision-making models composed of measurable key indicators, scientific methods and empirical values, study defines a multi-criteria model based on various scientific sources combined with extensive manufacturing experience, which is an important tool for making quality decisions when introducing new equipment or technology. The study considers five main areas of indicators and characteristics: internal, external, financial, knowledge level, and other important indicators. By applying the Delphi method, the importance of the indicators is defined by multidisciplinary experts and the order of each characteristic is determined, which is then prioritized using MCDM methods to select the final solution. The paper presents the model definition and a practical application of the model to the castings manufacturing in the automotive industry.