Globalization of business and competitiveness in manufacturing has forced companies to improve their manufacturing facilities to respond to market requirements. Machine tool evaluation involves an essential decision using imprecise and vague information, and plays a major role to improve the productivity and flexibility in manufacturing. The aim of this study is to present an integrated approach for decision-making in machine tool selection. This paper is focused on the integration of a consistent fuzzy AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and a fuzzy COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) for multi-attribute decision-making in selecting the most suitable machine tool. In this method, the fuzzy linguistic reference relation is integrated into AHP to handle the imprecise and vague information, and to simplify the data collection for the pair-wise comparison matrix of the AHP which determines the weights of attributes. The output of the fuzzy AHP is imported into the fuzzy COPRAS method for ranking alternatives through the closeness coefficient. Presentation of the proposed model application is provided by a numerical example based on the collection of data by questionnaire and from the literature. The results highlight the integration of the improved fuzzy AHP and the fuzzy COPRAS as a precise tool and provide effective multi-attribute decision-making for evaluating the machine tool in the uncertain environment.

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An anthropometric database for sitting and standing dimensions for Malaysian operators was developed based on the measurements from 146 male and 168 female participants (18-45 years old). The anthropometric data were subsequently compared to those from three selected Asian countries, focussing on the sitting and standing posture dimensions. Thirty-six anthropometric dimensions were selected for comparison based on common availability among the four countries. The results indicated that the Indonesians were the tallest (male: 172 cm, female: 159 cm) among the four countries, whereas the Filipinos were the shortest for both male and female (male: 167 cm, female: 153.9 cm). Filipinos and Malaysian data were almost similar and appear to have the smallest values for eye height (male: 155 cm, female: 143 cm) and elbow height (male: 104 cm, female: 96 cm). The knowledge of variations in the population is useful in designing sound workstations and facilities for the betterment of the industrial environment.

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Due to the rise in awareness of environmental issues and the depletion of virgin resources, many firms have attempted to increase the sustainability of their activities. One efficient way to elevate sustainability is the consideration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by designing a closed loop supply chain (CLSC). This paper has developed a mathematical model to increase corporate social responsibility in terms of job creation. Moreover the model, in addition to increasing total CLSC profit, provides a range of strategic decision solutions for decision makers to select a best action plan for a CLSC. A proposed multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model was solved with non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II). Fuzzy set theory was employed to select the best compromise solution from the Pareto-optimal solutions. A numerical example was used to validate the potential application of the proposed model. The results highlight the effect of CSR in the design of CLSC.

Laser has been used to cut most non-metallic materials very efficiently and successfully because these materials are highly absorptive by the CO 2 laser wavelength of 10.6 m. Laser cutting process has been found to be reliable in loads of applications, with several advantages over other mechanical means in producing successful cut of even thermally sensitive materials such as wood. Various works which have been conducted to resolve the interaction between laser and wood but an ultimate guideline to produce the best cutting results are still undecided. This latest experiment was performed on Malaysian light hardwood namely, Nyatoh (Palaquium spp.), Kembang Semangkok (Scaphium spp.), Meranti (Shorea spp.) and normal Plywood using low power carbon dioxide laser machine with 500 Watt maximum output. The low power laser machine (Zech Laser model ZL 1010), equipped with a slow flow CO 2 laser producing maximum output power of 500 watt on beam mode of TEM01 is employed. The processing variables taken into investigation were laser power, nozzlestandoff distance (SOD) or focal point position, nozzle size, assist gas pressure, types of assist gas, cutting speed and delay time. The wood properties observed were thickness, density and moisture content of the wood. The analyses considered were of the geometric and dimensional accuracy (straight sideline length, diameter of circle, kerf width, and percent over cut), material removal rate, and severity of burns of the matters upon machining with compressed air or any assist gases. The relationship between processing parameters and types of wood with different properties were outlined in terms of optimum cutting conditions, the minimum burnt-effect achievable and the best cut quality obtained with minimal surface deterioration and acceptable in accuracy. From this present study a guideline for cutting a wide range of Malaysian wood has been outlined.

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