Fuzzy flexibility analysis in automated manufacturing systems

Some researchers propose systematic procedures for quantifying flexibility in monetary terms and use financial evaluation models with decision criteria based on present worth, equivalent uniform annual worth, and the other discounting techniques. Many parameters are defined while quantifying flexibility value and are assumed to be accurate numerical estimates. But it must be considered that some changes in these numerical estimates may occur. Therefore, these parameters can be defined as triangular parameters. Thus, we obtained the fuzzy present worth formulas of the flexibility elements. Using these formulas, more reliable results can be obtained. The flexibility modeling using triangular fuzzy numbers allows expert's linguistic predicate about automated manufacturing systems. Taking the result of the fuzzy present worth formula of the flexibility, the fuzzy flexibility evaluation can be achieved by applying some dominance rules on triangular fuzzy numbers.