Benchmarking for decision making in rapid prototyping systems

This paper addresses an integrated rapid prototyping decision-making system (IRPDMS) based on fuzzy decision and benchmarking for selecting appropriate rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RP&M) processes. Data sets captured from benchmarking different RP&M processes are used in decision-making. The proposed IRPDMS provides decision support while interacting with an earlier developed benchmark database. Issues on standardizations and the purpose of using such standardized information datasets for offering decision support are discussed. Selection of five RP&M processes namely stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), laminated object manufacturing (LOM) and direct laser sintering (DLS) using the proposed IRPDMS is presented for the purpose of demonstration.