Abstract Disassembly is an essential step for remanufacturing end-of-life (EOL) products. Optimization of disassembly sequences and the utilization of robotic technology could alleviate the labor-intensive nature of dismantling operations. This study proposes an optimization framework for disassembly sequence planning under uncertainty considering human–robot collaboration. The proposed framework combines three attributes: disassembly cost, safety, and complexity of disassembly, namely disassembleability, to identify the optimal disassembly path and allocate operations between human and robot. A multi-attribute utility function is used to address uncertainty and make a tradeoff among multiple attributes. The disassembly time reflects the cost of disassembly which is assumed to be an uncertain parameter with a Beta distribution; the disassembleability evaluates the feasibility of conducting operations by robot; finally, the safety index ensures the protection of human workers in the work environment. An example of dismantling a desktop computer is used to show the application. The model identifies the optimal disassembly sequence with less disassembly cost, high disassembleability, and increased safety index while allocating disassembly operations among human and robot. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to show the model's performance when changing the disassembly cost for the robot. 

Optimization-Based Disassembly Sequence Planning Under Uncertainty for Human–Robot Collaboration

The safe handling of electronic and electrical waste (E-waste/WEE) is a growing concern in many nations' world. Particularly, developing nations have a variety of challenges regarding the creation, transboundary movement, and control of greenhouse gases. Examining the types of technology used to handle e-waste, evaluating the difficulties associated with implementing sustainable methods, and identifying the gaps across formal and informal e-waste employees were among the goals of the research. The following research inquiries were framed: What standard of state of the art is currently used to handle e-waste? What obstacles are preventing the implementation of sustainable innovations? The components of e-waste, its classification, worldwide and Indian e-waste circumstances, potential recoverable, recyclable, and hazardous materials discovered in e-waste, adverse effect on both the environment and human health best possible techniques, recycling, and regeneration used, as well as the risks to the environment and the workforce that they pose are all covered in this paper. 

Nandan Dhara

Papers

E-Waste Management: A New Concern for Environmental Sustainability