Integrated decision making and optimization model for robot technology from planning to implementation

Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) plays a major role in quality and flexibility improvements in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Advanced manufacturing technologies provide a great potential for improving manufacturing performance to compete in the global markets. Proper decision making in pre-implement and implementation of Robot technology as one of the types of AMT plays an important role in the success of its implementation. A robot Decision Support System (DSS) which is included of two main parts is proposed to facilitate the proper decision making. The first part, decision making model, can support companies in pre-implement by providing models for successful implementation prediction, robot selection and robot supplier selection. The second part, Optimization model, can support companies in implementation by providing robot-based assembly line balance & sequencing optimization.