Design for Disassembly and the Value of Robotic Semi-Destructive Disassembly

Abstract

This article explores robotic semi-destructive disassembly’s relationship with design for disassembly, and the article investigates its value as a disassembly approach for remanufacture and / or recycling. Specifically, the compatibility of design for disassembly guidelines with semi-destructive disassembly is explored. Regulatory pressures, recovering the value of products’ materials and the long-range environmental importance of cycling material flows motivate the exploration. The article compares general design for disassembly guidelines drawn from the literature with experimental results from the semi-destructive disassembly of a simple consumer product. Additionally, the value of semi-destructive disassembly is investigated. The prevailing view of semi-destructive disassembly’s value is discussed, and the realities of an experimental semi-destructive disassembly study are contrasted with these beliefs.