Verifying Welding Processes Selection for a Case Study Using an Analytic Hierarchical Process

Abstract

This paper aims to develop a framework for differentiating the selection of welding processes using specialized knowledge-based expert systems, which are particularly useful in dealing with issues that require complex decision-making. A program was created and programmed using the process information maps (PRIMAs) matrix in Visual Basic Access for selecting welding processes in a study. The program is in two stages. In the first stage, it excludes non-candidate operations according to several criteria, the most important of which is the type of metal and its thickness. The second stage is arranging operations using multi-criteria methods for decision-making through research to resolve complicated problems involving multiple factors. The hierarchical analysis process (AHP) was used. It is considered one of the most frequently used multi-criteria decision-making methods. The selection of analytic hierarchical process. AHP criteria depend on experience and knowledge rather than specific data for selecting alternatives and determining weights. The methodology is straightforward, easy to comprehend, and applicable to various domains needing intricate decision-making. The program results are compared with those of a previously published case to choose the best welding processes for a study case, which is a home radiator, and results matching the candidate processes were discovered.

Keywords

• Expert system
• Welding process selection
• MCDM
• Analytic hierarchy process