TOPSIS based multi-criteria reconfiguration of manufacturing systems considering operational and ergonomic indicators

In reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS), the evaluation of configurations is usually based exclusively on technical performance indicators for an efficient and effective manufacturing. Ergonomics and human factors related aspects are rarely considered in the evaluation of reconfiguration opportunities, which leads to less realistic and pragmatic reconfiguration decisions. This article suggests both technical and ergonomic indicators to achieve a more realistic evaluation of reconfiguration decisions. A case study is introduced, and the Technique for Order of Preferences by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is used to achieve multi-criteria evaluation and selection of an alternative configuration when reconfiguring an RMS. We particularly compare reconfiguration decisions with and without ergonomic indicators, and therefore establish the worthiness of considering both aspects simultaneously.