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A symbolic methodology to improve disassembly process design
Pedro Rios1, Leslie Blyler, Lisa Tieman
1School of Industrial Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 315 North Grant Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2023, USA.
Environmental Science & Technology
|January 1, 2004
Summary
This study introduces design symbols to simplify electronic disassembly. These symbols reduce planning time by over 13 minutes, improving resource recovery from e-waste.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Engineering
- Green Engineering
Background:
- Millions of electronic components are retired annually due to rapid product obsolescence.
- Resource recovery from end-of-life electronics necessitates efficient disassembly processes.
- Operator learning curves and product complexity impact disassembly time and cost.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the benefits of preplanning in disassembly operations.
- To introduce a symbolic methodology for efficient product complexity surveying.
- To reduce disassembly planning time and enhance resource recovery from electronic waste.
Main Methods:
- Application of green engineering principles for disassembly process design.
- Introduction of "design symbols" to represent product complexity (fasteners, common structures).
- Empirical testing on a sample of 71 electronic devices (computers, printers, monitors).
Main Results:
- The proposed symbolic methodology significantly reduces disassembly planning time.
- An average reduction of 13.2 minutes in total disassembly planning time was demonstrated.
- This efficiency improvement can facilitate the separation of valuable materials, like plastics, from e-waste.
Conclusions:
- The symbolic methodology enhances operator efficiency in surveying product complexity.
- This approach supports waste prevention and resource recovery, aligning with green engineering principles.
- The methodology shows potential for improving Design for Recycling, Maintenance, and Support.