Assessment of Ergonomic Compatibility on the Selection of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

This paper proposes the development of an expert system for ergonomic compatibility assessment on the selection of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT). Actual models for AMT assessment neglect Human Factors and Ergonomic (HFE) attributes and present deficiencies such as high time consumption and complexity. This approach proposes a novel axiomatic design methodology under fuzzy environment including two stages: the generation of fuzzy If-Then rules using Mamdani’s fuzzy inference system and the development of the system by mean of experts’ opinions. A numerical example is presented for the selection of three CNC milling machines using the Weighted Ergonomic Incompatibility Content (WEIC). The expert system leads to the selection of the best alternative containing the minimum WEIC, as the one that better satisfies ergonomic requirements. Development and application of the system may help provide an easier, faster, single or group ergonomic assessment on AMT selection by promoting safer and more ergonomic workplaces in manufacturing companies.