Multicriteria Analysis for 3D Printer Selection

Abstract

The increase in sustainable and responsible approaches in industries has been driven by the current global social and economic context. The pursuit of greater competitiveness and reduction of operational costs has favored the development of areas such as smart manufacturing, energy management and efficiency, sustainability, and compliance. In this context, this article presents an application of MCDM tools (AHP and TOPSIS) to support the equipment selection process. Three 3D printers from different models and manufacturers were considered, analyzed regarding seven selection criteria: equipment price, printing volume, maximum printing speed, maximum extruder temperature, number of extruders, maximum power, and type. Based on the opinion of an expert, the alternatives were ranked. A comparison was presented between the results obtained with the application of AHP-TOPSIS. The use of these methods significantly contributed to the decision-making process, allowing for a more comprehensive, transparent, and objective analysis of the different characteristics of each equipment.