1. Design for disassembly
Prof. Fabio Iraldo
SUM – Istituto di Management, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna e
IEFE – Università Bocconi
2. Design for Disassembly (DfD) is an important contributor to Design for Environment. It
is a comprehensive consideration of design related to environmental and human
health impacts over the life-cycle of a product and intends to maximize materials
conservation. (Hamer Center for Community Design - The Pennsylvania State University)
What is Design for disassembly ?
Disassembly plays an important role not only in
enabling parts and materials to be removed for
recycling but also enabling reconditioning,
refurbishment, re-manufacture, repair and service of
the product and components extending their useful
life. (University of Manchester)
A design strategy that considers the costs and future need to
disassemble a product for repair, refurbish or recycle.
3. Life cycle of materials and component
for improved sustainability
Cradle to Grave method, it is not the only model of life cycle: “Cradle
to Cradle” could be even more effective!
Materials and components can be reused, remanufactured, recycled and
reconfigured.
If we add an alternative act of disassembly, a new model of a closed-circuit
cyclical system can be created.
This new model incorporates a number of more environmentally attractive options
that should reduce the quantity of waste and pollution generation, and reduce the
loss of embodied energy, while extending the service life of materials and
components.
(Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane).
4. A closed-loop cyclical system
Natural resources extraction
Processing into material and components
Assembly procedure
Product
End of life
Materials for recycling
Disassembly
Sorting
Component for reuse
Remanufacture
Waste for disposal
Waste for disposal
Waste for disposal
Revised model of a closed-circuit cyclical system (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane)
5. The selection and use of materials:
•Reduce number of material types
•Choose recycling-compatible materials
•Avoid mixing of component and piece part materials which reduce the efficiency of
recycling, e.g. metal inserts in plastic parts.
•Avoid composite materials employing adhesives
•Avoid secondary finishing such as painting, coating or plating which may
contaminate materials and components.
•Avoid corrosive materials
•Select materials with similar component life
How to Design for Disassembly ?
Georgia Institute of Technology – Systems Realization Laboratory
Brunel Univeristy West London
6. The design of components and product architecture:
•Use as few components and component types as possible
•Maximize standardization of component variations.
•Separate working components into modular sub-assemblies
•Use a minimum number of connections to allow easy and quick disconnection
•Code or otherwise identify parts and materials to facilitate recycling and audit trails
to production data.
•Provide clear identification of replacement/repair modules.
The selection and use of fasteners:
•Minimize the number and types of fasteners used
•Standardize the use of fasteners – use commonly available parts and maintain
consistency within the design
•Use joining technologies and methods which enable easy separation of
components and materials
Georgia Institute of Technology – Systems Realization Laboratory
Brunel Univeristy West London
How to Design for Disassembly ?
7. Case study
Achille Castiglioni's tool-less method of
replacing a watchband on the AL6021
watch.
Xandy Peters Design - By placing the arch
support into the soft sock, and that into the
galosh-like base, the 'Designed for
Deconstruction' shoe is easily fixed together
with a long shoelace string.
8. Rui Alves Industrial Design
Case studies
Cross Trainer built from a breathable encapsulated
foam wrap midsole then wrapped with cellulose fiber
based fabric with a plastic stiffening rib. The sole
wraps around the shoe for easy recycling and lateral
support.
