Air conditioner and washing machine primary disassembly process

In a demonstration plant for the recycling of post-use electric home appliances, the authors developed a primary disassembly process of an air conditioner and a washing machine. The purpose of the primary disassembly process for the air conditioner is to collect CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and to separate the heat exchangers and compressor. This process is employed by an image processing system and robotic automatic cutting system. It can disassemble the air conditioner with a work efficiency of 17 units per hour. The purpose of the primary disassembly process of the washing machine is to separate the motor. The authors developed a system in which the depth of washing tank is measured automatically by a supersonic wave sensor. It can disassemble a washing machine with a work efficiency of 27 units per hour.