Integration of Expert System with Analytic Hierarchy Process for Non-Traditional Machining Process Selection

Selection of a non-traditional machining process is always deemed to be a challenging problem due to the involvement of various conflicting criteria in the decision-making process. This paper strives to use the multi-criteria decision-making approach towards the selection of an optimal non-traditional machining process under constrained material and machining conditions through the design of an expert system. The expert system relies on the analytic hierarchy process to evaluate the priority index values for different non-traditional machining processes, based on several criteria and sub-criteria involved in the selection process. The expert system also takes the help of an inbuilt logical database to demarcate the non-traditional processes that are actually acceptable for a specific condition. Acceptability Index values are determined for the processes lying in the acceptability zone and the process with the highest acceptability index value is selected as the optimal choice.