Recycling: Fraunhofer wants to revolutionize e-waste dismantling with robots
The Fraunhofer IFF wants to recycle more electronic waste. To this end, the institute has devised a dismantling system using AI-controlled robots.
A robot removes a motherboard from a housing.
(Image: Fraunhofer IFF)
In the “Intelligent Dismantling of Electronics for Remanufacturing and Recycling” (iDEAR) project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation (IFF) is developing methods for the automated, non-destructive dismantling of electronic waste using artificial intelligence (AI) and robots to reuse the raw materials it contains. The aim is to be able to recognize and dismantle all types of devices.
Technology often only has a short lifespan. The devices are then thrown away, and new ones are purchased. Many raw materials are required for production, but these are not available in infinite quantities. At the same time, electronic waste continues to grow. According to older estimates, the global production of e-waste is set to rise to 74 million tons per year by 2030. Around 80 percent of e-waste will end up in landfill sites or be incinerated. Only a small proportion of this can be dismantled and reused at great expense and effort.
(Image: Fraunhofer IFF)
The IFF has now developed several demonstrators that map the entire process chain of e-waste dismantling. First of all, an AI-based 3D camera and an optical sensor system identify the incoming electrical appliances via their product labels. The systems also record the position of components and assess their condition so that they can be reused, for example. The connecting elements are assessed for disassembly, for example whether a screw is rusted tight or whether there are difficult-to-remove adhesive joints. Any damage to the fasteners is also recorded.
An AI trained with machine learning analyses the captured image, sensor and spectral data and uses it to identify the different materials of the devices. All the recorded data is then transferred to a digital twin, which can also be used to check whether a similar device has already been dismantled.
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Non-destructive disassembly by robots
Software then determines the disassembly sequences. It plays a role here whether only high-quality components are to be recovered or whether complete disassembly is to take place. However, it may also be the case that a non-destructive disassembly process is not possible due to the condition of the fasteners. All information is sent to a robot system, which carries out the appropriate disassembly instructions. For example, the robots cut cables, unscrew components or break them out. During this process, corrections are made repeatedly, which trigger intelligent optical systems.
The IFF is now working on linking the respective demonstrators for the individual work steps to be able to map an automatic disassembly process in a single demonstrator. The aim is to reuse as many raw materials from old appliances as possible. This reduces the environmental impact and ensures access to valuable raw materials for new products.
(olb)
