Disassembly depth distribution for ease of service: a rule-based approach

This article proposes a structured methodology for the analysis and reconfiguration of the disassembly depth distribution of components making up a constructional system, expressing the difficulty of their disassembly on the basis of spatial and junction constraints conditioning their removal, with the aim of obtaining a generalised improvement in disassemblability in relation to the requirements of servicing. The methodological structure makes use of both graphical and analytical instruments for the quantification of disassembly depth, and of appositely defined metrics to assess the effectiveness of the distribution. In particular, the analytical tools were structured following a rule-based approach, which by virtue of its flexibility can be used to perform depth analysis, adapting to the diverse constraint conditions that generally arise in the selective disassembly of single components. As evidenced in the report of the case study proposed, the methodology and associated tools provide information regarding the criticality of a system and make it possible to direct an intervention modifying the principal design parameters (characteristics of layout, shapes of components and types of junction systems) in a way that improves the efficiency of disassembly. This comes off through a reasoned redistribution of the disassembly depth of components, searching for concordance between the ease of disassembly and the real need for it, and favouring the disassemblability of those parts of the system which require frequent removal for servicing.