Benchmarking the metal additive manufacturing processes using integrated AHP-PROMETHEE approach

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated MCDM approach for the selection of the best process from the five-metal additive manufacturing (MAM) processes namely selective laser melting, direct metal laser sintering, laser engineered net shaping, electron beam melting, and wire arc additive manufacturing process at low production volume and high production volume scenarios. An integrated approach of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and preference ranking organisation method for enrichment evolution (PROMETHEE) is applied for the selection process. Twenty-four criteria have been identified from the literature and divided into five criteria groups namely process capability, mechanical properties, process efficiency, process economics, and sustainability. Results have shown that the proposed integrated approach can accomplish the goal of this study. According to the authors' knowledge there is no study considering both traditional criteria and sustainable criteria for the selection of the MAM process. This study will help the manufacturer to attain sustainable development goals.