AutoDis – Development of an automated and intelligently networked disassembly of circular smart meter

As part of the circular economy concept at the measurement technology manufacturer Lorenz, the installed devices are returned to the factory at the end of their lifetime, technically reprocessed and then returned to the production cycle as a whole or in parts.

The component-by-component reprocessing of the return products currently involves a great deal of manual work. The AutoDis project is intended to investigate the potential for automation in disassembly processes and to set up a disassembly system for implementation in subsequent factory operations.

The current status is to be analyzed and an overall system is to be designed for the use case. Furthermore, the potential savings to be realized through automation will be determined and a circular target process will be developed. 

In the next step, a digital twin for automated disassembly is to be mapped that meets the requirements of circular processes. Based on the results of the material flow simulation as well as the factory planning, an economical/sustainable logistics concept will be elaborated in which both robotics and automated transport systems are used. 

This will then be used to develop an automated disassembly line, which will serve as a demonstrator to show the project results in the future.

The use of the system will be implemented in the form of a prototype at the project partner Lorenz.

The first step is a literature review on the subject of automation options for disassembly processes. Then, the current situation at Lorenz is recorded with the help of a value stream analysis and mapped by a material flow simulation. The corresponding fields of action can then be derived from this and a prediction made as to which production resources or space requirements will be necessary in the future.  

The development of a digital twin of automated disassembly is the next step. Here, the possibility of flexible reaction to different states of return products is of particular importance. Subsequently, the material flow simulation and factory planning will be based on this. Based on these results, the exemplary disassembly line is built.

By implementing the automated disassembly line at Lorenz, the results in the areas of digitalization, sustainability can be analyzed to verify the generated savings of resources.

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).