Computer-based approach to material and process selection

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a perspective of computer-aided material and process selection (MPS) software tools for product development purpose and present a practical approach for manufacturers and other decision makers involved in MPS. Design/methodology/approach – A multi-criteria deductive approach for MPS is applied to a case study by taking into account the technical performances and environmental constraints. A resource-based cost modeling is also deployed to examine the implication of selected material and process on overall product cost. Findings – The paper demonstrates the capabilities and shortcoming of existing computerized MPS software tools in assisting product managers and designers for handling the growing volume of material/process data. Research limitations/implications – Applying computer-aided MPS approach to complex shape products with multiple features is not a straightforward task and requires further development in existing MPS software tools. Practical implications – Computer-aided MPS systems can assist decision makers in solving many material/process selection problems by following a systematic process. Originality/value – Given today's rapid technological changes, it is important for decision makers to understand the capabilities of computer-aided MPS software tools in handling a growing volume of data. Very limited research has been done to explore the capabilities and limitations of existing material/process selectors. It is the first in the literature that demonstrates the application of multi-criteria deductive approach in MPS using a software tool.