Application of Fuzzy TOPSIS for evaluating machining techniques using sustainability metrics

Abstract

Sustainable processes and techniques are getting increased attention over the last few decades due to rising concerns over the environment, improved focus on productivity and stringency in environmental as well as occupational health and safety norms. The present work analyzes the research on sustainable machining techniques and identifies techniques and parameters on which sustainability of a process is evaluated. Based on the analysis these parameters are then adopted as criteria's to evaluate different sustainable machining techniques such as Cryogenic Machining, Dry Machining, Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) and High Pressure Jet Assisted Machining (HPJAM) using a fuzzy TOPSIS framework. In order to facilitate easy arithmetic, the linguistic variables represented by fuzzy numbers are transformed into crisp numbers based on graded mean representation. Cryogenic machining was found to be the best alternative sustainable technique as per the fuzzy TOPSIS framework adopted. The paper provides a method to deal with multi criteria decision making problems in a complex and linguistic environment.