A methodological approach for designing and sequencing product families in Reconfigurable Disassembly Systems
Abstract: Purpose: A
Reconfigurable Disassembly System (RDS) represents a new paradigm of automated
disassembly system that uses reconfigurable manufacturing technology for fast
adaptation to changes in the quantity and mix of products to disassemble. This
paper deals with a methodology for designing and sequencing product families in
RDS.
Design/methodology/approach: The methodology is developed in a two-phase
approach, where products are first grouped into families and then families are
sequenced through the RDS, computing the required machines and modules
configuration for each family. Products are grouped into families based on
their common features using a Hierarchical Clustering Algorithm. The optimal
sequence of the product families is calculated using a Mixed-Integer Linear
Programming model minimizing reconfigurability and operational costs.
Findings: This paper is focused to enable reconfigurable manufacturing
technologies to attain some degree of adaptability during disassembly
automation design using modular machine tools.
Research limitations/implications: The MILP model proposed for the second
phase is similar to the well-known Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) and
therefore its complexity grows exponentially with the number of products to
disassemble. In real-world problems, which a higher number of products, it may
be advisable to solve the model approximately with heuristics.
Practical implications: The importance of industrial recycling and
remanufacturing is growing due to increasing environmental and economic
pressures. Disassembly is an important part of remanufacturing systems for
reuse and recycling purposes. Automatic disassembly techniques have a growing
number of applications in the area of electronics, aerospace, construction and
industrial equipment. In this paper, a design and scheduling approach is
proposed to apply in this area.
Originality/value: This paper presents a new concept called
Reconfigurable Disassembly System, which represents disassembly systems with
reusability, scalability, agility and reconfigurability features. These
features and some specific costs are considered as part of the proposed
methodology.
Penulis: Ignacio Eguia,
Sebastian Lozano, Jesus Racero, Fernando Guerrero
Journal Code: jptindustrigg110036
