SCARA Robot Arm for Disassembly Tasks

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a pressing global issue, with an annual production of approximately 50 million tons, causing environmental impacts and increasing raw material demand for new product manufacturing. While discarded electronic devices have reached their useful life as complete products, they often contain valuable components suitable for reuse in new devices. Automated disassembly robots are not yet widely used in the manufacturing industry due to their complexity and precision requirements. This research presents a prototype capable of disassembling two plates joined by four screws, aiming to pave the way for the integration of disassembly robots in the industry and promote circular economy practices. The design of the plates joined by the four screws was carefully formulated, and the required workspace for robot design was determined. A SCARA-type robotic arm with three degrees of freedom, featuring an RRP configuration, was assembled for disassembly tests. The robot was built using cost-effective digital fabrication techniques, specifically 3D printing and laser cutting. The resulting prototype demonstrated efficient movement within the workspace and successfully unscrewed the four joining screws of the plates. After completing the disassembly task, the robot returned to its designated home position. This development showcases the potential of automated disassembly robots to efficiently recycle valuable components and contribute to the circular economy, addressing electronic waste management challenges.