INTELLIGENT DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM-DESIGN

The aim of this paper is to develop a new methodology of analysis and evaluation of Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) design configuration s. It examines the use of an integrated, systemic, global and user ori ented approach for the complex problem of selecting among several conf iguration alternatives the most suitable for a specific case. The meth odology is implemented using the Decision Support System framework, of fering an objective tool to help managers and engineers during the des ign stage of the development cycle of these manufacturing systems. A c ase study illustrates the effectiveness of the developed methodology.