Automated dismantling processes for a closed-loop automotive industry

In view of the global ecological challenges and scarcity of resources, the establishment of a circular economy in the automotive industry is increasingly gaining in importance. In particular, the multitude of vehicle variants and the often unknown condition of end-of-life vehicles make dismantling and recycling more difficult. As a result, manual dismantling is inefficient and is generally only carried out for selected components. In order to achieve an efficient circular economy with type-sorted material recovery, the Fraunhofer IST is concentrating on the automation of dismantling processes. 

Increased efficiency through automated dismantling of complete vehicles

A central focus concerns the development of automated dismantling of the entire vehicle, which begins by separating component groups from the vehicle. To achieve this, dismantling strategies are being developed that take into account the economic, ecological and technical complexity of the dismantling process – depending on the vehicle type, equipment and condition. The aim is the development of an automated dismantling cell that can react flexibly to these strategies. For this purpose, a robot cell has been constructed with which the releasing of joints and the recognition of components and their condition can be tested.

Innovative robot technology for the safe disassembly of high-voltage batteries

Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt ist die automatisierte Demontage von Hochvoltbatterien aus Elektrofahrzeugen. Hierbei bestehen Herausforderungen, die über die klassischen Demontageprobleme hinausgehen, insbesondere bei nicht demontagegerechten Bauteilen wie z. B. Steckern mit Einrastmechanismus. Das Fraunhofer IST hat eine Roboterzelle für das sichere und effiziente Demontieren solcher Stecker entwickelt. Diese verfügt über einen Endeffektor mit einem auf die Steckergeometrie angepassten Greifer sowie über eine Bauteilerkennung mittels Computer Vision.