Usage of multi criteria decision making methods in selection of nontraditional manufacturing methods

New manufacturing technologies such as nontraditional manufacturing methods were needed recently because of new machining requirements (parts with complex geometries, very small and delicate parts, parts with very narrow machining area and high strenth materials). Since nontraditional manufacturing methods are diverse and their numbers are increasing with the development of new approaches, selecting the most appropriate one among many nontraditional manufacturing methods requires systematic models which incorporate multi-criteria decising making approaches. In this study, a selection model that uses Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS) approaches is developed for the selection of the most suitable nontraditional manufacturing method for a specific application. In this study, furthermore, the effectiveness of the developed approach is evaluated by comparing its results with the ones obtained with non-fuzzy (crisp) versions of the AHP and TOPSIS methods.Key Words : Selection of nontraditional manufacturing methods, multi criteria decision making methods, fuzzy AHP, fuzzy TOPSIS