What is it about?
This paper presents a flexible, open-access, Python-based computational tool designed to optimize disassembly sequences of industrial products, supporting Circular Design, Design for Disassembly (DfD), and Design for End of Life (DfEoL). By utilizing product CAD models and Bills of Materials (BOMs), the tool generates precedence matrices and hierarchical precedence graphs. It then calculates and visualizes all potential disassembly scenarios using AND/OR graphs (via the NetworkX library). Based on user-defined 'bonus/penalty factors' (such as disassembly times), the tool automatically determines the fastest and most efficient disassembly path to retrieve specific high-value target components.
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Why is it important?
Transitioning to a Circular Economy is essential for sustainable manufacturing and meeting ambitious environmental targets, such as the EU's End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive. Traditional shredding of complex machinery often leads to alloy dilution and the permanent loss of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). Disassembly is a crucial preliminary step to ensure high-quality reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. This research provides an accessible, non-proprietary tool that can be integrated into Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) frameworks. It enables designers to evaluate and improve a product's demountability from the very early stages of design, facilitating the recovery of precious elements like copper and rare earth permanent magnets (e.g., Neodymium) without resorting to destructive shredding.
Perspectives
As the world shifts toward green technologies like electric vehicles, recycling their complex parts becomes crucial to saving raw materials and protecting the environment. However, taking these products apart is often difficult and expensive. To solve this, we developed a simple, free computer tool using Python that helps engineers find the quickest and most efficient way to disassemble industrial products. We tested it on an advanced electric motor and showed how easily it can map out the best steps to extract valuable parts, like rare-earth magnets and copper. This tool makes it easier for companies to design products that are easy to repair, reuse, and recycle, keeping valuable materials in use and out of landfills.
Maurizio Guadagno
Universita degli Studi di Firenze
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Development of Procedures for Disassembly of Industrial Products in Python Environment, February 2025, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/engproc2025085006.
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