Integrating Lean Management Principles into Human-Robot Collaboration in Disassembly Cell

Abstract

Integrating Industry 4.0 technologies into the circular economy has received much attention in the literature in recent years. Considering the ladder of lansink and circular economy technical cycle, reusing and remanufacturing are preferable to recycling. Disassembly is a crucial process in remanufacturing. Collaborative robots provide semi-autonomous disassembly and could enhance product remanufacturing considering the uncertainties, cost reduction, and circularity of materials. This paper aims to discuss the application of lean practices in a disassembly cell with operators-robots collaboration. A conceptual framework based on the house of lean is proposed to highlight the research perspectives on opportunities of lean philosophy in disassembly operation enabled with industry 4.0 technology.