Fuzzy Analytical Processes in Economic Justification of Rapid Prototyping Systems

The study examines the fuzzy analytical process involved in providing the economic justification for the rapid growth of prototyping systems. Primarily, it proposes a framework of fuzzy A.N.P (analytic network process) for both qualitative and quantitative attributes for the rapid prototyping system. The study aims to propose a design of a F.A.P. (Fuzzy Analytical Process) Model on various levels, namely, determinants, enablers, and dimensions. Strategic decision-making is based on high-level criteria such as customer perspectives, market affordability, and financial outlook, along with the fulfilment of social responsibility regarding the important usage of the prototyping system. The framework highlights the various level of decision-making involved in making effective decisions. These decisions are based on the requirements set out by the firm, which acts as a source of economic justification. The framework highlighted the preference of the decision-makers using pair-wise comparison as well as extent analysis. It also conducted defuzzification for determining the weights of the attributes. The study uses matrices that are used for the pair-wise comparison of different project phases related to the enterprise function. The findings of the study conclude that the F.A.P. model is based on the structural layout while integrating with the features related to the needs of the market, governmental regulations, firms' capacities, and adaptive strategies. It further analyses that the cost analysis must be done in consideration of project selection through prior economic estimation. It is better to adopt a macro point-of-view in spite of a micro approach in decision-making.