Planning of disassembly systems

Examines the problems to be considered when looking at the operation planning of a disassembly factory. Discusses the recycling network comprising the manufacturers, consumers, disassembly plants and the recycling plants in which the disassembly plants are considered as dismantlers and waste management providers. Looks at the need to establish a methodology for operation planning and controlling of discarded complex products. Concludes that disassembly of obsolete products is a challenge to flexible automation and that fully integrated solutions, enabling the automatic design of environmentally conscious products and recovery processes are the first step towards advanced disassembly systems.