New method for the optimized design of semi-automated workcells for WEEE recycling: TV and monitors case

Abstract

Waste coming from electric and electronic appliances is an 
increasing environmental problem. Their present recycling and 
reuse ratio are far from the targets defi ned in the European 
Directive for “Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment”, 
WEEE, which tries to reduce the waste going to landfi lls. This 
research proposes a new method for selection and design of 
automated and semi-automated operations of a recycling plant 
for electronic appliances. An improved recycling of the obtained 
materials is expected, with a more profi table process for small or 
medium enterprises. An example of its applicability is proposed, 
focused on the separation of the materials of TVs and monitors. 
Because of the diffi cult reuse of glass coming from the cathode 
ray tubes, a specifi c solution is proposed. Economic, legal and 
technical issues concerning the level of the automation applied to 
a recycling line are studied, covering from the full automation of 
all the disassembling tasks, to a manual dismantling. This knowhow is used by the proposed method as the input to a decision 
support system for optimization purposes. The parameters used 
by this system are: previous expertise of recycling companies, 
WEEE regulations and economic aspects (materials pricing, 
recycling costs, etc.). The simulation of the solution has been 
analyzed, with an economical assessment of the recycling 
process, to show the feasibility of the method. Finally the work 
is complemented with a real setting up of the proposed design in 
a recycling company, and with a new application of the obtained