Multi - Attribute Material Handling Equipment Selection Using Information Axiom

Effective use of labor, providing system flexibility, increasing productivity, decreasing lead times and costs are some of the most important factors influencing selection of material handling equipment. In this study, a decision support system (MHAD) considering these factors for material handling equipment selection is developed. MHAD consists of a database, a rulebased system and multi-attribute decision making modules. Database includes the detailed data about equipment types and their properties. The rule-based system module provides rules which are utilized by inference engine for determining the most proper material handling equipment type. Ultimately, a final decision is made for the most proper equipment among the alternatives of the same type using the information axiom of axiomatic design principles. Evaluation of alternatives is made for the cases of both complete and incomplete information. This paper introduces the fuzzy Information axiom approach and uses it in the selection of material handling equipment in a real world problem.