Comparative analysis of abrasive waterjet (AWJ) technology with selected unconventional manufacturing processes

In today’s competitive business environment the development of new technologies (Ergincan et al., 2010) with their advances and application in practice enforces the use of multi-criteria decision making processes for selection of appropriate technologies (Sharma et al., 2011). Efformation of appropriate selection criteria is determined by many parameters and variables such as technological advancement, nature of row materials, quantity of products or semi-products, quality requirements, etc. These criteria absorb even contradictory requirements. Therefore, sometimes it may be necessary to choose even a compromise solution (Willet, 1996). Especially for small and medium-size firms with low or medium product range and repeatability, this is ultimately the decisive factor that influences the choice of applicable technology and cost ratio of the technological process (Gursoz and Prinz, 1988; Shen and Lei, 2011; Sun et al., 2010; Cakicier et al., 2010). When comparing the technological and economic benefits of the deployment and use of technologies in cutting of metals (Zaghbani et al., 2010), the following critical criteria may allow the decision maker to make a realistic comparison and evaluation for the convenience