The Analytic Hierarchy Process-A viable decision tool for composite-materials

With the development of integrated product design methodologies and the growing emergence of the field of manufacturing science, materials, both advanced (such as composites) and traditional (such as aluminium and sheet steel) are competing for applications. With the creation of a global economy, the importance of rapid decision-making, even when complete quantitative information is not available, is becoming increasingly evident. Methodologies for strategic decision-making are needed that will (a) develop deeper understanding of the problem under consideration, (b) improve decision-making quality through consistent, explicit and realistic sets of assumptions, and (c) lower overall systems costs through savings of resources. This paper highlights the use of Saaty’s Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a viable means for rapid decision-making in a concurrent engineering team. An example for the selection of manufacturing technologies for the fabrication of an automobile fender is used and it is seen that the AHP provides results consistent with those derived through more in-depth and time-consuming approaches, without any waste of precious time or resources, by using team expertise.