Optimal Selection of Equipment for Injection Molding Process using the AHP Method

Abstract

Increased interest in the study of plastics has led to the development of processing technologies using such materials. The variety of plastics has led to a diversification of the technical processes through which the finished plastic products can be obtained. We approached the idea of designing plastic injection equipment, considering that various research could be made on the phenomena involved during the process, as well as the observation of the technological properties of the plastics. To design such equipment, some known methods used in conception processes could be applied. Optimizing the equipment design process is one of the elements that can ensure high efficiency of the entire injection molding process. Thus, the method chosen in this case was the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, which is one of the methods that offer the possibility to choose a solution when there are many alternatives. The relative simplicity and precision of this method are some of the arguments behind this method. The combination of required equipment and application of the AHP method allowed the choice of an optimal solution for testing injection molding. The result of design activity was an alternative to equipment that can be used for developing future research.