Applying a fuzzy analytic network process to construct a purchase project. A case for the purchase of a slicing diamond cutting machine

Abstract

In this paper we propose a fuzzy extension of the analytic network process (ANP) that uses uncertain human preferences as input information in the project evaluation of precision diamond cutting machines. The resulting fuzzy ANP enhances the potential of the ANP for dealing with imprecise and uncertain human comparison judgments. It allows for multiple representations of uncertain human preferences, as crisp, interval, and fuzzy judgments and can find a solution from incomplete sets of pair-wise comparisons. An important feature of the proposed method is that it measures the inconsistency of the uncertain human preferences by an appropriate consistency index. Simultaneously, process capability indices are presented to demonstrate and verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods. In the future, the proposal can provide the best way to control and calculate effective purchasing of diamond cutting machines for wafer slicing by project buyers. This purchasing project will save cost and ease the case of purchase.