Application of AHP in the selection of additive manufacturing equipment based on the useof artifacts

Purpose Additive manufacturing (AM) has already become a real manufacturing trend and the presence of these technologies in technological companies, research centers, universities or schools is actually normal together with a significant increase of the number and variety of equipment available in each one of these contexts. Thus, choosing the most suitable process, equipment or material arise as a new goal to face because the complexity and impact of these decisions is much higher now than when the implementation of AM was at initial stages. This paper aims to explore the adaptive capacity of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques, specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to help channel these complex decisions. Design/methodology/approach In this study, an initial methodological approach is carried out based on the combination of AHP with the manufacturing and metrological inspection of artifacts obtained from the set of printers available as alternatives. Findings Through a study case, the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed methodological approach are assessed and scenarios in which this kind of approaches can be useful are identified, drawing conclusions to guide the following steps in this line of research. Originality/value The application of MCDM techniques to guide decisions similar to those raised in this study, as well as the use of artifacts to assess the performance of available alternatives in response to certain needs of the design to be manufactured, has been addressed in the scientific literature. However, the combined use of both strategies proposed in this work is novel.