MULTICRITERIA EVALUATION OF AUTOMATED FILLING SYSTEMS - A CASE-STUDY

Much has been written about the use of multiattribute decision models to evaluate manufacturing technologies. This article describes an appl ication to a real problem using a recently developed multiattribute de cision tool. The case study involves an evaluation of three candidate technologies for filling packaged food containers. A manual baseline f illing method is compared with the two technology investment options o f automated weigh filling and automated volumetric filling. In food in dustries, the cost of material overfill is important but is not the on ly factor that should be considered. A multiattribute decision model i s formulated that considers difficult-to-quantify criteria, such as ma terial conversion, information conversion, and strategic activities. F or the given decision scenario, when only directly measurable annual c ost savings are considered, the weigh filler option is preferred; howe ver, when the additional criteria are considered, volumetric filling i s preferred primarily due to its product and equipment flexibility. It is proposed that the methodology described here will enhance the acce ptability of applying multiattribute decision making to manufacturing investment problems.