3D Printer Selection by Using Fuzzy CRITIC and Fuzzy EDAS Methods
Nihan Kabadayı, Sündüs DağNowadays, additive manufacturing, also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, is widely used in many different sectors for both prototyping and part production. 3D printer technologies, which offer more advantages compared with traditional production methods, are applied in a wide range of sectors, from health, education construction, automotive, to food. The utilization of 3D printers offers businesses numerous advantages, including cost reduction, time savings, efficient resource utilization, and the ability to produce customized products. Therefore, selection of 3D printers is a critical decision-making process for businesses. This study discusses the 3D printer selection problem of a furniture parts company located in Kayseri, Turkey. An integrated multicriteria decision making (MCDM) approach, which comprises the fuzzy CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) and fuzzy EDAS (Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution) methods, is proposed for the solution. In the first stage, weights of 20 subcriteria gathered under the four main criteria (technical, economy, performance, and environment) are determined using the fuzzy CRITIC method. In the second stage, possible four different 3D printer options were determined by the company experts, and all four of these options were ranked using the fuzzy EDAS method. The application results indicated that waste generation (K20) holds significant importance as a criterion in the company’s 3D printer selection process. Waste generation refers to the amount of material discarded or unused during the printing process, which directly impacts both environmental sustainability and production costs. Moreover, the results identified the Flashforge Creator 3 (A1) as the most suitable printer among all the options considered.
Bulanık CRITIC ve Bulanık EDAS Yöntemleri ile 3 Boyutlu Yazıcı Seçimi
Nihan Kabadayı, Sündüs DağGünümüzde katmanlı imalat bir diğer adıyla 3 boyutlu yazıcı çok sayıda farklı sektörde hem prototipleme hem de parça üretimi için yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Geleneksel üretim yöntemlerine göre birçok avantaj sağlayan 3 boyutlu yazıcı teknolojileri sağlık sektöründen eğitim sektörüne ve inşaat, otomotiv sektöründen gıda sektörüne kadar geniş bir yelpazede kendini göstermektedir. 3 boyutlu yazıcıların kullanımı işletmelere maliyet, zaman, kaynak avantajı ve kişiselleştirilmiş ürünler üretme imkânı gibi stratejik avantajlar sunmaktadır. Bu sebeple işletmeler için 3 boyutlu yazıcı seçimi kritik öneme sahip bir karar süreçlerinden biridir.
Bu çalışmada, Kayseri ilinde plastik mobilya aksamları üreten bir firmanın prototipleme ve tasarım amacıyla kullanacakları 3 boyutlu yazıcının seçim problemi ele alınmıştır. Çözüm için Bulanık CRITIC ve bulanık EDAS yöntemlerinden oluşan bütünleşik bir Çok Kriterli Karar Verme Yöntemi (ÇKVV) önerilmiştir. İlk aşamada grup Teknik, Ekonomi, Performans ve Çevre başlıkları altında toplanan 20 farklı kriterin ağırlıkları bulanık CRITIC yöntemi uygulanarak belirlenmiştir. İkinci aşamada, firma yetkilileri tarafından üretimlerine uygun olabilecek dört farklı 3 boyutlu yazıcı belirlenerek, bulanık EDAS yöntemi ile bu alternatif yazıcıların sıralaması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Gerçekleştirilen çalışmanın sonucunda firmanın 3 boyutlu yazıcı seçim kararında en etkili kriterin atık oluşumu (K20) olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu kriter, 3 boyutlu üretimin baskı sürecinde kullanılmayan veya atılan malzeme miktarını ifade eder. Atık oluşumu, üretim süreçlerinin çevresel sürdürülebilirliğini ve maliyetlerini doğrudan etkilediği için firma için önemlidir. Elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda, firma için en uygun 3 boyutlu yazıcı modeli Flashforge Creator 3 (A1) olarak belirlenmiştir. Çalışmanın sonucunda belirlenen model ile firmanın prototip üretimi, prototipten ürüne geçiş ve hata tespiti gibi kritik süreçlerde fayda elde etmesi beklenmektedir.
Nowadays, additive manufacturing, also called three-dimensional (3D) printing, is widely used in many different sectors for both prototyping and part production. 3D printer technologies, which offer more advantages compared with traditional production methods, are employed in a wide range of sectors, from health, education, construction, automotive to food. The utilization of 3D printers offers businesses numerous advantages, including cost reduction, time savings, efficient resource utilization, and the ability to produce customized products. Furthermore, the integration of 3D printers into manufacturing operations helps companies develop their local production capabilities. Therefore, 3D printing is anticipated to offer significant flexibility to the global supply chain by enabling companies to quickly adapt to changes in demand or product specifications. For example, if there is a sudden surge in demand for a particular product, manufacturers equipped with 3D printers can swiftly adjust their production schedules and begin manufacturing the required items without the need for retooling or extensive lead times. Additionally, 3D printing enhances resilience within the supply chain by reducing dependency on centralized production facilities and long-distance transportation networks. In the event of disruptions such as natural disasters or geopolitical conflicts affecting traditional manufacturing hubs, companies can utilize local 3D printing capabilities to maintain continuity in production and meet customer demands. This decentralized approach mitigates risks associated with supply chain disruptions and enhances the overall resilience of the global manufacturing ecosystem. In addition, local production with 3D printers in the supply chain helps reduce carbon footprint and decrease transportation costs of finished products, thanks to the more effective use of materials.
As a result, the environmental impact of enterprises during production and distribution processes is diminished, leading to increased efficiency in resource utilization. Consequently, businesses stand to gain from improved sustainable supply chain capabilities. Recently, 3D printers have become a popular tool in the market that can be used for different purposes. The market offers a wide range of 3D printer models with varying functions and print quality across different price ranges. Therefore, selecting the appropriate 3D printer model based on intended use and budget has become a crucial decision for businesses.
The selection of a 3D printer can be considered as a classical multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problem, as it involves evaluating options against multiple criteria. This study proposes a practical decision-making tool that companies can utilize to select 3D printers suitable for their specific purposes. In addition, a comprehensive list of criteria for 3D printer evaluation is provided to guide companies through the decision-making process of 3D printer selection. An integrated MCDM method, comprising the fuzzy CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) and fuzzy EDAS (Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution) methods, is suggested for the solution. Criteria weights are determined using the fuzzy CRITIC method, which calculates the importance level of each criterion both objectively and subjectively while processing a large set of criteria. The fuzzy EDAS method, which is a practical method to solve MCDM problems involving many criteria, ranks the alternative 3D printer models. This study contributes to the literature by showing, for the first time, the integrated use of the fuzzy CRITIC and fuzzy EDAS methods for solving 3D printer selection problems.
This study tests the real-life problem solution performance of the proposed model on a production company located in Kayseri, Turkey. In the first stage, weights of 20 subcriteria gathered under the four main criteria (technical, economy, performance, and environment) are determined via the fuzzy CRITIC method. In the second stage, four different 3D printer models (Flashforge Creator 3, Zortrax M200 Plus, Ultimaker 2+ connect, and Zaxe Z1) are suggested by the company experts; these four options are then ranked using the fuzzy EDAS method. Following this, Flashforge Creator 3 is selected as the most suitable 3D printer model for the company. The feedback collected from the company experts revealed that the company has reaped many benefits in prototype production after it started to utilize the selected 3D printer model. Thanks to the utilization of 3D printers, the company has experienced several advantages, including reduced transition time from prototype to product, early-stage error detection such as during the design process, and the ability to adjust models according to customer needs, consequently improving customer satisfaction.